Bounced cheque deepens $3M Fiji Airways court fight over Israel charter flight

A cheque issued by the organisers of the 2023 Israel charter flight to Fiji Airways for court costs had bounced, adding further tension to the airline’s $3.1 million civil case now proceeding before the High Court in Suva.

The cheque, hand-delivered by the charter organisers in September, was returned unpaid with the bank’s note “refer to drawer,” Fiji Airways lawyer Neil Prasad told the court last Friday.

The airline is seeking $3,163,013.70 in outstanding payments, interest, and costs from the defendants — WABS Pacific PTE Limited, Kane Holdings PTE Limited, trustees of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (the late Viliame Gonelevu, the late Reverend Aisake Kunanitu, Ana Soqeta, S. Tawakevou, and Mikaele Mudreilagi), Christian Mission Fellowship International, Senior Pastor Manasa Kolivuso, and director Michael Martin Mausio.

Acting Master Liyanage Wickramasekera dismissed the charterer’s pleadings after they failed to comply with two court orders issued since June, allowing Fiji Airways’ application for a summary judgment to proceed.

The court heard that the first, second, and fifth defendants (WABS Pacific PTE Limited, Kane Holdings PTE Limited and director Michael Martin Mausio) had not complied with the court’s June 25, 2025 order to pay $2000 in costs after failing to file their responses to the plaintiff’s claims.

Master Wickramasekera noted the defendants had changed solicitors three times and sought multiple adjournments, causing unnecessary delays.

On Friday, their new lawyer, Vishal Anand, asked the court for another three days to finalise submissions and file a change of solicitor, telling the court he had only received the case file the previous day.

However, Mr Prasad objected, saying that despite five adjournments and two suspended orders for non-compliance, the defendants still had not filed their submissions.

He also highlighted the dishonoured cheque as evidence of the defendants’ continued failure to meet obligations. 

Master Wickramasekera subsequently ordered the defendants to pay $6000 for non-compliance with court orders.

The court also heard that the third and fourth defendants had complied with filing requirements and submitted their responses.

Meanwhile, the trustees of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem have filed a separate application to strike out Fiji Airways’ claims regarding their alleged involvement in organising the charter flight.

Mr Prasad confirmed Fiji Airways would oppose that application. All submissions are to be filed by November 7, 2025, ahead of the next mention on December 11, 2025, when a hearing date is expected to be set.