Minister: Flight dispute is commercial
“Yes, this was a commercial arrangement, and unfortunately, the customer has not paid the bills. We are suing. The matter is in the courts,” he said.
Thursday 04 September 2025 | 23:00
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka.
Photo: Parliament of Fiji
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka says the dispute over the unpaid charter flights to Israel is strictly a commercial matter between Fiji Airways and its client.
Mr Gavoka made the comment after Fiji Airways chief executive officer, Andre Viljoen, confirmed during a parliamentary committee hearing that the airline has taken legal action to recover unpaid funds from a 2023 charter agreement.
The flights, operated in September and October last year, transported Fijians and Pacific Islanders to the Feast of the Tabernacle Tour in Israel.
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Standing Committee on Economic Affairs member, Alipate Tuicolo, had questioned the status of payments for the charter.
Mr Viljoen told the committee the airline was left with no option, but to pursue the matter in court.
“Yes, this was a commercial arrangement, and unfortunately, the customer has not paid the bills. We are suing. The matter is in the courts,” he said.
While Mr Viljoen declined to reveal the identity of the customer or the total amount owed, Mr Gavoka stressed that the matter should remain within the commercial domain.
