Fiji Airways could have done more to help airport issues
The Kiribati Government says it is solving issues at its airports, but Fiji Airways could have done more to help when it recently cancelled flights.
Transcript
The Kiribati Government says it is solving issues at its airports, but Fiji Airways could have done more to help when it recently cancelled flights.
Fiji Airways cited safety concerns over the airstrip at Bonriki Airport in Tarawa, but the Government says a key spare part for fire-fighting has been stranded at Nadi airport.
The President, Taneti Maamau, was angry that the airline only paid for one night's accommodation for the stranded passengers.
A Government spokesperson, Rimon Rimon, says remedial works are ongoing, and he's happy Fiji Airways have resumed flights on the weekend.
RIMON RIMON: All these issues have been resolved over the last week and we have called on Fiji Airways to resume their flights and we are happy that that has happened.
ALEX PERROTTET: Fiji Airways, in its press release, cited infrequent safety inspections of the runway, there's concerns about the boundary fencing and they're saying there's inaccurate information from the airport officials to the Fiji Airways flight crew. Do you know what that was about?
RR: I'm not aware on that particular instance, but the airport in Bonriki has been fenced, and the airport authorities have also contracted security services to assist during landings and take-offs. There have been incidents of dogs running around in the past and all that but it's been confirmed that reports from the Ministry of Information, which the airport is under, has forced the security services there to ensure the safety during take-off and landing.
AP: They visited on Friday and then they've resumed flights on Saturday at Bonriki and Sunday Kiritimati, at Cassidy Airport. But the issue particularly with the firefighting equipment was that they didn't have foam, and you're saying that they have managed to overcome that problem, but you're still waiting on equipment to arrive from Fiji regarding the firefighting necessities there. Is that right?
RR: Information we've got from our fire authorities here is that they have fulfilled that, they have resolved the problem of the fire truck being capable of producing foam, but a major spare was actually stranded in Nadi and had this been on one of the earlier flights, maybe that could have solved that problem.
AP: And of course this is a new government and you're just finding your way at the moment and getting organised, but there were some fairly strong comments by Taneti Maamau, the new president, saying that Fiji Airways could have done more about caring for the lives and integrity of the people affected by the flight cancellations. I mean, do you think that was more of an issue of just, the president feeling the frustration of his people, I mean we're talking about serious safety concerns here, or do you think Fiji Airways could have done more?
RR: I think any passengers affected by any flights should be treated rightfully. I think that the concerns raised by the president is a valid one, I trust that our government and our people in Fiji are in talks with the government of Fiji, and I am adamant and I'm optimistic that we will come to a solution to this problem so that it will not occur in the future.
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