Air Pac suspends flights to Christmas Island

August 29, 2008 02:27:40 PM

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Fiji’s international airline Air Pacific Limited has suspended its flights to Christmas Island until damaged runways on the island nation is repaired to sound operational standards.

The airline announced its decision today, effective September 2, after a series of reviews of the runway surface.

The inspections were done by Air Pacific operational personnel and specialist runway engineers from New Zealand, said Air Pacific managing director and chief executive officer John Campbell.

Campbell said the runway surface at Christmas Island had been cracking and had been patched.

However, Campbell said: “…deterioration has reached the point that Air Pacific believes safety might be compromised”.

“The safety of Air Pacific’s passengers, crew and aircraft is paramount,” he said.

He said the company regretted the necessity to suspend flight operations, particularly when Air Pacific was the only air service operating Christmas Island.

“Air Pacific will maintain close communications with the government of Kiribati on progress towards the necessary resurfacing and stands ready to provide support and advice should this be required,” he said.

Campbell said the Nadi-Christmas Island-Honolulu route has been operated under a quasi-charter arrangement for the Kiribati government by Air Pacific since October 2005, which also provides an aviation link for Christmas Is with its capital Tarawa on connecting flights via Nadi.