Fiji Link apologises for flight disruptions

Experts were called in to help assess and repair a plane following a recent engine incident with ATR 72-600

Fiji Link has apologised for disruptions in flight timing after engineers were called in to assess and repair a plane following an engine incident on February 13. Five days after the incident forced an ATR 72-600 to return to Nadi; Executive General Manager Shaenaz Voss said the plane remains out of service while investigations continue.

“We apologise to all affected guests for this inconvenience, and are urgently exploring all avenues for supplementary flights to minimise the disruption,” Ms Voss said.

“Two flights to Funafuti and a flight to Port Vila earlier this week were cancelled. We are rebooking guests on the next available service to Funafuti.”

The Fiji Airways domestic subsidiary has two ATR 72-600 planes and one ATR 42-600 in its fleet. It has used its smaller Twin Otter planes to help maintain domestic service. Ms Voss said various stakeholders had joined in to assess the plane.

“Investigations into the ATR 72-600 engine issue are still ongoing by Fiji Airways, aircraft manufacturer ATR and Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), together with engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney,” she added.

“The aircraft will be assessed and all issues rectified by the Fiji Airways Engineering team and the aircraft manufacturer at the Fiji Airways Maintenance Facilities in Nadi, before it’s ferried to Nelson, New Zealand for scheduled “C-Check” (routine heavy maintenance check scheduled in advance).”