The Open Skies Agreement (OSA) with the United States aims to attract 40,000 passengers this year, leading to a projected annual increase of up to 75 per cent from 20 per cent.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said this reflects a robust demand for our national airline, Fiji Airways which is a billion-dollar entity.
Gavoka said the American service will generate $150 million to $170 million from passengers and then cargo and – Fiji is in the process of negotiating with the US.
He said the agreement as it stands allows Fiji to fly to Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco where the Americans have unlimited, there are no restrictions for them in this part of the world.
Gavoka said cabinet recently revamped its Airports Services Agreement (ASA) policies to enable us to go on open skies on a case-by-case basis with countries and the Americans welcomed that, hence the confidence that we can fly into points other than Honolulu, LA, and San Francisco.
He added that the ASA’s agreements are not merely guarantees, they are the conduits of progress.
