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| 7/10/08 - Fiji to sign Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement |
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Fiji will sign the Forum’s Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA).
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
The Prime Minister said that the PIASA is aimed at establishing a framework for the gradual integration of aviation services for the members of the Pacific Islands Forum in a way that is fully supportive of sustainable development for the Forum Island Countries (FICs).
“This was agreed to by FICs representatives at Vavau, Tonga on 30th October 2002 and to date more than ten FICs have signed.
“The Forum member countries embraced this regional agreement with the belief that it will provide a multi-lateral basis for the liberalisation of air services between them.”
The Prime Minister said that PIASA is intended to provide, through the creation of the Forum Island Country Single Aviation Market, a gradual, staged process which will assist in the strengthening and growth of FIC airlines.
“This agreement places the control of change in the hands of FICS rather than having change forced upon its airlines at a pace determined by external factors.”
He also said that PIASA will allow Fiji’s designated airlines to operate to any of the regional routes without restrictions on capacity, frequencies etc.
He added that Air Pacific, the largest airline in the region, will be able to make use of the opportunities and maximize its benefits especially when capacities and frequencies of flights will not be restricted.
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No:1732
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