SIG TO REVIEW AIR SERVICE MOU The government will be sending an official delegation later this month, January to Fiji in the effort to initiate review of the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of air services that will soon to expire. Under the clause of the MOU, a review should be conducted one month before the date of the expiry date which is February 25 2015. The government hopes that through the review, a new air service arrangement could be finalised that will ensure an equitable and beneficial agreement could be reached that will benefit the airlines of both countries. The pursuance of the resumption of air services between Solomon Islands and Fiji is a priority of the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government who sees it imperative that air services between the countries be allowed to continue as both the national carrier, Solomon Airlines and the travelling public are losing out because of the impasse. The government initiative has resulted in the lifting of the suspension on air services between Solomon Islands and Fiji as agreed upon on Monday in Suva, Fiji. The government maintains that it is in the best interest of every Solomon Islanders that the national carrier, Solomon Airlines should resume its flights to Fiji, particularly with regards to chartering of flights for students studying at the various tertiary institutions in Fiji. The government contends that there may exist pertinent issues regarding fifth and sixth freedom right arrangement, however the government is optimistic that these matters will be included in the MOU review during the next air service meeting. The government by its nature will pursue to lift the suspension of air services between Solomon Islands and Fiji but at the end of the day, it will be the designated airlines of both countries, in this case Solomon Airlines and Fiji Airways, that will be engaged in the constructive negotiations that will ensure code-share arrangements and other such commercial agreements are made and agreed upon as these are essentially commercial and operational matters. The government will continue to pursue for the review with the Fiji government, and issues pertaining fairness and equality of the air services between the two countries are matters that the government will also like to address in the review. The government hopes that the through the review, such issues such as the fairness on fifth freedom rights could be amicably resolved during the next air services meeting, and the these issues will be dealt with when a new MOU is signed. The government will engage with the Solomon Airlines management and the civil aviation authority on matters of the review before the next air services meeting is held this month. [SOURCE: PMO]
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:35:04 +0000