Pacific Magazine > Magazine > April 17, 2007

Air & Sea

Transport Briefs

Transport Briefs

By Edited By Samantha Magick

Post Fiji outlets across Fiji are now selling Pacific Blue flights to and from Fiji.  Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, “Internet and credit card use is low in the Fiji region and we are confident our new relationship with Post Fiji will allow more Fijian locals to take advantage of the affordable fares Pacific Blue
has to offer.”

Meanwhile Polynesian Blue, the joint venture airline of the Government of Samoa and Virgin Blue Airlines, has announced a pre-tax profit of NZD $3.62 million (US$2.59 million) for the six month period 1 July 2006 to 31 December 2006. Polynesian Blue says the strong performance is in part attributable to a 52.6 percent increase in the number of Australians traveling to Samoa during the period January to November 2006 versus the same period
in 2005.

Famous Pacific Shipping, the fast expanding Asia-based NVOCC and freight services supplier, is advancing the development of its airfreight forwarding strategy with the launch of the FPS Air brand and the appointment of Akanesi Ofahengaue as manager of FPS NZ’s airfreight division. Marcus Goldsworthy, Managing Director of FPS New Zealand says “In the last two years, we have launched new services, expanded our coverage of the Pacific Islands, relocated our headquarters to a new, purpose built office and warehouse facility at Auckland International airport and opened a new branch office in Christchurch. Akanesi’s appointment and our launch of the FPS Air brand is a clear sign of our ongoing intentions to enhance our presence in the New Zealand marketplace.”  FPS NZ has offices in the Fiji ports of Suva and Lautoka.

Air Tahiti Nui has  suspended one of its three weekly Sydney- Papeete flights on March 26, a year after the third flight was added. Although Air Tahiti Nui carried 61 percent of all international airline passengers flying in and out of Tahiti last year, the French Polynesian government says the airline’s deficit at the end of last year totaled 3.7 billion French Pacific francs (US$35.2 million).

American Samoan Senate President Lolo M. Moliga is “appealing” to Congressman Falemavaega Eni to release federal funds to the American Samoa government so construction of an air traffic control tower at Pago Pago International Airport can begin.  “While I support what you are trying to do, compelling FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to construct our tower, I am afraid that the process may take years with our situation not advancing any more than our current plight,” wrote Lolo in March. Faleomavaega says while he appreciates that the local government may be anxious to construct a tower, “I do not support the FAA’s efforts to rid itself of American Samoa and have no further responsibility for us.”

Samoa’s new Salelologa International Port opened March 2. And in a trial run, the “Spirit of Oceanus” cruise liner docked at the port in February. Meanwhile, Samoa’s Cabinet has agreed to a request by the Samoa Ports Authority that tax duties and the goods and services tax be removed from imported materials and equipment for the construction of the Apia Marina. Construction is due to be finished by August.

 Air Pacific plans to fly direct to India, South America, and beyond the U.S. west coast from 2011, after the airline takes delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, says Chief Executive Officer John Campbell. Currently Air Pacific operates 112 flights per week servicing 17 destinations in 11 countries.

Reef Shipping said a vessel that ran around on a reef in Niue in March was probably unsalvageable. The Jay Belinda was stuck on a reef off Niue for more than a week, forcing locals to help unload 4,500 liters of fuel by hand. As Pacific Magazine went to press, efforts were still being made to get the vessel off the reef, for insurance assessments. Reef Shipping managing director Philip McNicholl says the incident has been very disruptive for Niue’s fishing industry.