Fiji Airways

This is the first time the airline has reconfigured its ATR aircraft for freight operations. The freighter service carried 3.8 tonnes of cargo from Nadi to Port Vila and 1.9 tonnes on the return sector on Sunday. Outbound freight included medical supplies, while the outbound carried a number of consolidated items, including coffee and mail.

The flight attendants were among almost 800 staff who were sent home by the airline due to the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.

Union president Josaia McGowan said the cabin crew made many concessions, even decreases in wage, to keep the company afloat throughout the pandemic.

But Mr McGowan said at no point did management hint at mass terminations.

He said the union was puzzled at Fiji Airways' decision to terminate staff.

The announcement comes a day after the airline sent nearly 800 staff home with the economic fallout from the pandemic being blamed.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the situation at Fiji Airways was being mirrored across the world.

He said the aviation sector was on the brink of collapse due to Covid-19 and the government would do all it could to keep Fiji Airways afloat.

"It's so sad that we have to come to this but really Fiji Airways had no other option.

FBC News to obtained a copy of the termination letter that was sent to 775 staff from the airline.

In the letter, Fiji Airways said the severe effects of Covid-19, had resulted in the company taking the "drastic step".

Staff were sent the letter have been given 48 hours to return any Fiji Airways property and to collect personal belongings from the office.

The letter said people who had been released could reapply for roles when the situation allowed.

The government said three flights bringing Fijian nationals home would be allowed and passengers would be required to quarantine.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said all local shipping services would cease from Sunday.

He said this was to help stop the coronavirus from reaching the outer islands.

Fiji Airways will operate its final scheduled flight between Nadi-Narita tomorrow, and the return Narita-Nadi on Saturday.

The airline said this flight was to assist citizens and residents to return home to Japan, as well as bring Fijians based in Japan back.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the measure was endorsed by Cabinet earlier this month in an apparent move to promote the use of the country's airline, Samoa Airways in the Fiji-Samoa route.

Currently Fiji Airways is the only airline servicing the lucrative route with Samoa Airways having a seat sharing arrangement with the Fiji national airline.

A Cabinet decision paper indicated the closing of the route between Apia and Nadi but did not say when it would happen.

The airline said their leased Airbus A350-900 aircraft would carry 334 passengers.

The aircraft has been named the "Island of Viti Levu".

They will service flights to New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

Fiji Airways said the second aircraft would arrive in the country next month.

The partnership will see Fiji Airways feature on the front of the Crusaders’ away jerseys from 2020.

Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said this will be the first time the Crusaders has had a separate front-of-jersey sponsor for their home and away jerseys, and they are thrilled the team’s away jerseys will feature the Fiji Airways brand from 2020.

Mansbridge added the Crusaders largest fan base outside of New Zealand is in Fiji, which is unsurprising given the overwhelming support they have from local fans whenever the team has played a Super Rugby match in Suva.

Qantas started flying from Sydney to Nadi four times a week in January, and now plans to introduce daily flights over the Christmas-New Year period.

Qantas also operates a codeshare agreement with Fiji Airways, and owns a 46-percent stake in the airline.

The chief executive of Fiji Airways, Andre Viljoen, said Australian visitor numbers to Fiji were flat and Qantas' expansion made little sense.

Fiji Airways does not have the capacity to compete with Qantas and the expansion could damage the carrier and the people whose livelihoods depend on it, Mr Viljoen said.

Korean Air has announced that it will stop its flights between Seoul and Nadi from October.

The Sodelpa MP, Bill Gavoka, says Korean Air is the only airline from outside the South Pacific to service Fiji.

He says it is the most seamless transfer to Europe and Asia for Fijians, as travelling through Australia and New Zealand requires a visa.

Mr Gavoka's calling on the government to do all it can to have the service retained.