Fiji Airways Returns
‘We will need your co-operation and genuine partnership to deliver this vision for our current and future generations.’
Fiji Airways has returned to the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), outgoing chairman, Ewan Smith, said at the 41st ASPA annual general management meeting in Nadi.
Fiji Airways resigned from ASPA in January 2015, over claims of an impasse.
“Fiji Airways is the largest operator in the Pacific Island region,” said Mr Smith.
Mr Smith said the organisation was established 1979.
Significant changes are to be made this year following the pandemic. Mr Smith said everyone was getting reorganised and wanted to refresh the organisation and look at some structural changes.
“So that has resulted in a motion passed to fully incorporate the organisation in Fiji as an NGO. The office is still here and will remain in Fiji,” he said.
“We have adopted a new constitution or a modern constitution and elected the new chairman: Brett Gebers (Nauru Airlines CEO), vicechairman: Ewan Smith (Air Raratonga MD/CEO) and board members: Air Niuguini, Air Kiribati and Lulutai Airlines (Tonga).” Incoming ASPA secretary-general David Tohi replaces George Faktoufou, who had held the post for the last 37 years.
Deputy secretary general of Pacific Islands Forum, Filimon Manoni said, “The pandemic has taught us, but how can we cushion the impacts of such black swan events on the aviation sector?”
“We will need your co-operation and genuine partnership to deliver this vision for our current and future generations.”
Pacific strategy
Island Forum’s 2050
Mr Manoni said Pacific Islands leaders endorsed the 2050 strategy to provide an opportunity for all partners, including aviation to work with them on key policy pathways. The meeting ends today.