Wirraway
2nd Mar 2004, 12:38
NZPA
Flight centre grounds cheap flights to Fiji
02 March 2004
Thousands of people planning a cheap holiday in Fiji have had their trips cancelled because of what operator Flight Centre described as government red tape.
The deals, starting at $399 for seven nights and using charter services run by aviation company Airwork, were to have started on March 19.
Last week, the date for lift-off was postponed to April 9, and yesterday Flight Centre said the services were being withdrawn because of ongoing delays in getting the go-ahead from the Fiji government.
Airwork had advised that approvals, which were expected to have been straightforward, had been taken to cabinet level in Suva.
A Flight Centre spokeswoman today said bookings for the services had been "in their thousands".
Full refunds would be given, as well as a $100 voucher for each passenger towards future travel.
She said there were no plans to reactivate the scheme in the future, but Flight Centre would keep its options open.
Flight Centre had intended operating five flights a week – two from Auckland, and one each from Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.
Managing director Graeme Moore said grounding the operation was the only option in view of the delays.
"We were overwhelmed by the level of support received from our customers and Fijian suppliers," he said.
"Yet unprecedented restrictions placed on us have made things difficult to say the least."
Mr Moore said Flight Centre's plan had led to benefits for the travelling public by prompting established carriers to reduce their prices.
Consumers Institute chief executive David Russell noted the refund.
But he said intending passengers could claim for extra costs, such as a deposit for a motel the night before departure from New Zealand if they lived far from the airport.
However, the Consumer Guarantees Act did not cover intangible losses, such as lost enjoyment.
Fiji's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Bal Ram, blamed the delay in granting approvals on "incomplete documentation" provided to his government.
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NZcity News
No comment from AirNZ on Fiji problems
2 March 2004
Air New Zealand is not making any comment about the demise of a cheap Fiji deal offered by Flight Centre.
The travel agency announced yesterday it was scrapping plans for cut price packages due to red tape by the Fijian Government.
The charter service was due to start operating in April.
Air New Zealand says it does not comment on the business of other companies and it will go ahead with its launch of Pacific Express fares tomorrow.
© 2004 NZCity, IRN
============================================
Flight centre grounds cheap flights to Fiji
02 March 2004
Thousands of people planning a cheap holiday in Fiji have had their trips cancelled because of what operator Flight Centre described as government red tape.
The deals, starting at $399 for seven nights and using charter services run by aviation company Airwork, were to have started on March 19.
Last week, the date for lift-off was postponed to April 9, and yesterday Flight Centre said the services were being withdrawn because of ongoing delays in getting the go-ahead from the Fiji government.
Airwork had advised that approvals, which were expected to have been straightforward, had been taken to cabinet level in Suva.
A Flight Centre spokeswoman today said bookings for the services had been "in their thousands".
Full refunds would be given, as well as a $100 voucher for each passenger towards future travel.
She said there were no plans to reactivate the scheme in the future, but Flight Centre would keep its options open.
Flight Centre had intended operating five flights a week – two from Auckland, and one each from Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.
Managing director Graeme Moore said grounding the operation was the only option in view of the delays.
"We were overwhelmed by the level of support received from our customers and Fijian suppliers," he said.
"Yet unprecedented restrictions placed on us have made things difficult to say the least."
Mr Moore said Flight Centre's plan had led to benefits for the travelling public by prompting established carriers to reduce their prices.
Consumers Institute chief executive David Russell noted the refund.
But he said intending passengers could claim for extra costs, such as a deposit for a motel the night before departure from New Zealand if they lived far from the airport.
However, the Consumer Guarantees Act did not cover intangible losses, such as lost enjoyment.
Fiji's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Bal Ram, blamed the delay in granting approvals on "incomplete documentation" provided to his government.
===========================================
NZcity News
No comment from AirNZ on Fiji problems
2 March 2004
Air New Zealand is not making any comment about the demise of a cheap Fiji deal offered by Flight Centre.
The travel agency announced yesterday it was scrapping plans for cut price packages due to red tape by the Fijian Government.
The charter service was due to start operating in April.
Air New Zealand says it does not comment on the business of other companies and it will go ahead with its launch of Pacific Express fares tomorrow.
© 2004 NZCity, IRN
============================================