News for South Pacific

Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bill Gavoka, via his official Twitter account, stated (14-Feb-2023) international travellers arriving into Fiji by air or sea will no longer be required to provide proof of coronavirus vaccination and travel insurance.

Air New Zealand extended (14-Feb-2023) flexibility for those customers affected by cyclone disruptions up to 17-Feb-2023. International customers can now change travel up to 08-Mar-2023 without a change fee, service fee or fare difference applying. If travel is only available in a higher cabin, the fare differential will apply. Tickets can also be put into credit towards travel within 12 months. For those travelling domestically, flexibility applies until 22-Feb-2023. [more - original PR]

Fiji Airways announced (14-Feb-2023) plans to introduce an unbundled economy class fare concept, effective 02-Mar-2023 in US and Canada and later in 2023 for other markets. Branded fares will offer customers the option to customise how they travel based on their needs with Lite, Value, Comfort and Plus fare categories. All categories will include meals, beverages, inflight entertainment and a carry on bag, with increasing value add-ons from Lite to Plus, such as checked baggage, ticket change and cancellation flexibility, seat selection and boarding priority. [more - original PR]

VietJet Air confirmed (14-Feb-2023) plans to launch three times weekly Ho Chi Minh City-Melbourne service from 08-Apr-2023. [more - original PR]

VietJet Air announced (14-Feb-2023) plans to commence three times weekly Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney service from 12-Apr-2023. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand extended (08-Feb-2023) its partnership with Wamos Air. Wamos Air is set to continue to operate daily return Auckland-Perth service on behalf of Air New Zealand until 28-Oct-2023. The move is still a temporary solution while the airline continues to build back and face unprecedented demand for travel, which is set to be especially high over the Easter and Jul-2023 school holiday periods. All customers on the service will be offered an Air New Zealand meal service, including beverages. Customers will also receive inflight entertainment. Customers will also be greeted by Air New Zealand customer service agents at the airport check in and at the gate. [more - original PR]

Air China, via its official WeChat account, announced (07-Feb-2023) the resumption of three times weekly Beijing-Sydney service on 03-Feb-2023. As previously reported by CAPA, Air China resumed three times weekly Beijing-Melbourne service on 01-Feb-2023. 

Xiamen Airlines, via its official WeChat account, announced (02-Feb-2023) it increased Fuzhou-Sydney frequency to twice weekly, effective Feb-2023. 

Japan Airlines announced (31-Jan-2023) the following schedules changes to its international network for summer 2023, effective 26-Mar-2023 to 28-Oct-2023:

• North America: Increase from 82 to 92 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-New York JFK: Increase from daily to twice daily from 28-May-2023;
  • Tokyo Narita-New York: Increase from five times weekly to daily from 26-Mar-2023 to 27-May-2023;
  • Osaka Kansai-Los Angeles: Increase from three to four times weekly;
• Europe: Increase from 32 to 33 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Helsinki: Increase from four to five times weekly;
• Southeast Asia: Increase from 109.5 to 122 times weekly;
  • Osaka Kansai-Bangkok: Increase from weekly to daily;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Singapore: Increase from 11 to 14 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Manila: Increase from 4.5 times weekly to daily;
  • Tokyo Narita-Manila: Increase from 13 times weekly to twice daily between 26-Mar-2023 to 30-Jun-2023;
• Oceania: Increase from 10 to 11 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Melbourne: Increase from three to four times weekly;
• East Asia: Maintain 56 times weekly;
• Hawaii/Guam: Maintain 36 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Honolulu: Reduce from 10 to eight times weekly, except between 13-Jul-2023 and 04-Sep-2023;
  • Osaka Kansai-Honolulu: Increase from three to four times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Guam: Increase from three to four times weekly from 15-Jul-2023 to 31-Aug-2023. [more - original PR - Japanese]

Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said (30-Jan-2023) the carrier is focusing on rebooking its 9000 passengers who have been impacted by Auckland International Airport flooding. The airline is providing a goodwill payment providing stranded customers with much-needed support for accommodation costs while they await their new flight. The airline is offering NZD250 (USD161.7) a night for accommodation for those who are displaced. [more - original PR]