Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says Fiji Airways makes its own decision when it comes to charter services.
Responding to the oral question asked by by Opposition MP Premila Kumar on Fiji Airways charter policies and procedures they follow when processing charter requests, Professor Prasad said a rigorous process is undertaken when a receipt of a request is received.
Prof Prasad said that a Fiji Airways Charter team gathers all relevant information from the customer including flight dates, times, number of passengers, special needs, add-on items, flexibility on dates and times, in case the aircraft is unavailable on preferred dates, and others.
He said an assessment is undertaken to determine available resources to support the request, the chartered aircraft, crews, and others and if this is approved, Fiji Airways then proceeds to assess the processing operational feasibility cost quote.
“The goal with any request is to ensure that safety and security are achieved, operational feasibility costs are confirmed and revenues cover the cost to justify the effort complexity and a reasonable amount of risk.”
“Fiji Airways operational feasibility, depending on the nature of the charter, complexes geography, short timelines, etc. Internal teams as the operations aircraft crew, safety, and security ground handling, and catering crews are asked to assess the operational feasibility before the cost quote is finalised.”
The Deputy Prime Minister outlined the payment plan.
Prof Prasad said that payment apart from providing a cost quote and payment timeline is negotiated with the customer and is documented as part of the agreement.
He said if the customer fails to meet its payment, Fiji Airways has the right to cancel the charter contract and retain pre-agreed cancellation fees.
“Fiji Airways standard charter contract requires full payment be made 38 days before the first charter flight. More complex charter may also require an initial deposit to be made no later than the 38-day deadline, to fund costs associated with attaining approval or otherwise pending to operate a charter flight,” Prof Prasad said.
