Fly now, pay later? Not again, says new Finance Minister

Minister for Finance Commerce and Business Development Esrom Immanuel has pledged closer supervision of Fiji Airways to prevent future ‘fly now, pay later’ situations like the Israel charter flight saga.

When asked what specific measures would be implemented to avoid similar incidents, Mr Immanuel responded: “Just supervision, closer supervision so that it never happens again.”

His comments come amid ongoing court proceedings over the $3.1million debt owed to Fiji Airways for the 2023 Israel charter flight.

The airline is suing WABS Pacific PTE Limited, Kane Holdings PTE Limited, Christian Mission Fellowship International, and several other defendants for unpaid charter costs.

The charter flight, which transported 255 passengers to Israel for the Feast of Tabernacles religious tour, has been mired in controversy since September 2023.

Many passengers failed to pay their full airfares, and a cheque issued by the charter organisers for court costs bounced last month.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka distanced himself from the matter, calling it “a commercial thing” between Fiji Airways and the charter group.

When pressed about whether Fiji Airways fell under his portfolio, Mr Gavoka replied “no”.

Fiji Airways is under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. The case returns to the High Court in Suva on December 11, 2025, when a hearing date will be set.

Acting Master Liyanage Wickramasekera has already dismissed the charterers’ pleadings after they failed to comply with multiple court orders, allowing Fiji Airways’ application for summary judgment to proceed.

The airline seeks $3,163,013.70 in outstanding payments, interest, and costs.

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