Page 32 - IB November 2019

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BOARDING PASS

Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Fīnau says he expects the airline to be flying in Tonga by
December. Kaniva news quotes Finau as saying the airline will need three months
to prepare for operations. Kaniva reports that Fly Niu was forced out of Tonga 15
years ago when the government passed a one airline policy that gave the sole right to
operate domestic flights to Peau Vava’u, an airline, co-owned by the late King George
Tupou V and his business partners, the Ramanlal brothers.

Air Vanuatu has ordered four Airbus aircrafts from the A220 family: two A220-
100 (which seats 135) and two A220-300 (which can carry 160 passengers). Chief
Executive Officer Derek Nice says the purchases will enable the airline to increase
flights to its existing destinations. The first A220 is due to arrive in June 2020.
Finnair has signed a codeshare partnership with Fiji Airways. Finnair passengers
can now fly to Fiji from London via Helsinki. The deal is the first between the two
Air Tahiti Nui had taken delivery of four 787s, completing the transition of its
widebody fleet from Airbus A340s to the Boeing 787-9s. ATN GM-Pacific Daniel oneworld alliance partners.
Eggenberger said the airline had to withstand political pressure from France to select
an Airbus, but that the Boeing aircraft will produce fuel savings of 23 per cent and Aircalin and Air France have renewed their partnership agreement for a further
cut flight time between Auckland and Papeete. five years, ensuring continuation of daily services between New Caledonia and Paris.
Aircalin recently added two new generation Airbus A330neos to its fleet and is now
offering a premium economy class.
Air Niugini has expanded services between Cairns and Hong Kong via Port
Moresby. The inaugural flight in late October carried produce, including live fish,
melons, pumpkins and coral. Cathay Pacific ceased flights to Cairns on the 27th New Zealand may finance an airstrip on Tokelau, which is currently only acces-
October after operating there for 25 years, opening the route to new operators. sible by boat. Tokelau has repeatedly expressed its desire for an airstrip and NZ Prime
Meanwhile Air Niugini has abandoned its orders for four Boeing 737 Max aircraft Minister Jacinda Arden has also voiced support for the idea, although she did say its
which had been earmarked for delivery in 2020 and 2021. The airline is now look- ultimately a matter for Tokelau to decide.
ing at Embraer and Airbus to supply needed planes.
Samoa Airways is rolling out a new ‘farm to plane’ menu showcasing more local
produce and innovative Samoan cuisine. The overhaul of the flight menu is part of
Australia’s domestic airfares for business class and best discount economy class
seats fell by about 10 per cent in October according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, an ongoing process in reviewing the entire inflight product service out of Samoa.
Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE). There was a marginal increase for Inflight meals are serviced by Aggie Greys In-flight Catering.
restricted economy fares. The drop in airfares reflect slowing passenger growth in the
local market, and restrained operating conditions for Australian carriers.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Five new countries have been added to the American Samoa Entry Permit
Waiver List (EPWP); Ireland, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia and Palau. Under the EPWP, eligible nationals from these countries
can apply online at least 48 hours prior to travel for an “OK to Board” and must
have a non-expired machine readable passport valid for 6 months or more after
departure from American Samoa; confirmed roundtrip ticket to point of origin
or onward passage and must pay a USD$20 processing fee (online or on arrival).

Papua New Guinea’s new visa fees will be charged in a standard United
States dollar (USD) rate through an online payment gateway for all migration
service fees. The new USD standard allows visitors to PNG applying for a visa in
any country to pay the same amount regardless of the value of their currency or
fluctuations in exchange rate, effective November 1. PNG has also introduced a
two-day priority visa processing fee for urgent applications.

32 I slands B usiness , N o v ember 2019
32 Islands Business, November 2019