Operations due to start mid year

An impression of where Inter Island Airways (Fiji) Limited is looking for further expansion at the Nausori International Airport. The left side of the picture illustrates where the existing facilities are and the right side details plans by Inter Island Airways (Fiji). Photo: AVIANAAIR.COM

By RACHNA LAL
Source: AVIANAAIR.COM

Inter Island Airways (Fiji) Limited, the soon-to-start domestic airline, has revealed expected long-term plans for expansion and growth in Fiji.
The airline plans to launch its operations here by June or July.
It has also indicated its commitment to improve aviation infrastructure throughout the airports they plan to operate in.
The company, on its website, has indicated plans to build new aircraft hangar and support facilities that would stimulate growth and business opportunities in the Nausori/Suva area.
“This includes a field based operations (FBO) facility to service additional aircraft (corporate, private, charter) that are bound to increase air traffic into Nausori Airport,” the company said.
“This in turn will create new jobs and spurn new supporting businesses that will add to Fiji’s growing economy.”
Questions sent to Inter Island Airways (Fiji) chief executive and Aviana Airways president, Barney Sene last week, remained unanswered when this issue went to print.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, confirmed Inter Island Airways has been given all the necessary approvals.

Dorniers used for services
The Las Vegas-based holding company Aviana Airways operates Inter Island, which is expected to be based out of Nausori International Airport.
It is expected to initially operate from Viti Levu to Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, Kadavu and Rotuma using Dornier 228s (18-seater) and a Dornier 328-100 (30-seater).
Depending on approvals, it also plans to expand into Tuvalu, Wallis & Futuna, Samoa, American Samoa, Niue and Tonga in early 2014 using Bombardier CRJ-200 jet-type aircraft.
The airline says the new “Inter Island” South Pacific Regional Network will comprise of routes within Fiji, within both Samoa and American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Wallis & Futuna, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.
“The Inter Island Regional Network with main hubs at Suva and Pago Pago will provide large air carriers with an interconnect/code-sharing partner solution,” the airline says on its website.
It says this would be to seamlessly book and transfer passengers within the vast South Pacific islands, to and from their existing routes thus improving the passenger experience.