.
He said although the airline had effective internal cost management and fuel hedging, “it will come as no surprise that Air Pacific can no longer sustain current fare levels with the price of fuel reaching record highs.”
“While the general fare increase will result in travelers paying slightly more for their journey, Air Pacific has overhauled its fare structure to allow more flexibility for those who need it and created discounted Business Class levels for those who want more room and luxury,” he said.
The airline earlier said it would broaden its horizons and was proposing not only new destinations but also the purchase of eight new aircraft.
He had said the airline would invest F$2.6 billion, or $1.7 billion, when it extended its fleet to include three more 787 aircraft.
With the proposed refurbishment of a number of aircraft in its current fleet and the extension of leases of its 747 and 767 planes, Air Pacific flight disruptions will not be an issue, he said.
Campbell has urged the interim regime to invest in airports in view of the congestion and staffing issue. He said there was a need for expansion of the Nadi airport to cater for the growth that Fiji expected.
He said some surgery was needed to turn around the troubled Japanese market which incurred a loss of F$1.5 million, or $1million, a month.
Air Pacific will commence a new service next month to a neighboring Pacific island nation.
From July 24, Air Pacific will service Tuvalu with a weekly flight to Funafuti.
The airline’s executive office yesterday made the announcement saying flights would be as low as F$349 ($231) one-way with taxes and surcharge of F$136 ($91).
