Fri "The Australian"
Pacific Blue targets Fiji
By Steve Creedy
February 20, 2004
PACIFIC Blue hopes to begin flights to Nadi in Fiji from September as it continues talks with several South Pacific islands about new services.
The New Zealand-based low-cost carrier is seeking permission from Australian and Fijian authorities to begin service with six flights a week, but wants to ramp up to daily services by 2005.
It will team with sister airline Virgin Blue to offer a range of Australian domestic connections in cities as far away as Perth.
The move brings Pacific Blue into direct competition with Fiji's Air Pacific, the strongest carrier in the region and backed by main investor Qantas.
Air Pacific chief executive John Campbell warned last year the airline would aggressively protect its market share and had "no intention of walking away from what we've worked fairly hard to build up".
Virgin spokesman David Huttner said yesterday there were still many people who thought Fiji was beyond their reach.
"Pacific Blue hopes to change that, just as Virgin Blue has for domestic tourism throughout Australia," Mr Huttner said.
"With affordable pricing, we will also make Fiji accessible to independent, and more adventurous, travellers who will move beyond the big resorts and fan out across the Fijian islands."
Mr Huttner said the airline would release schedules, fares and Australian ports in the coming months, subject to approval.
Talks were continuing with other South Pacific islands such as Vanuatu and Noumea.
"We hope to make further announcements within the next few months," he said.
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