Fiji flights face disruption

Transcript

SHAENAZ VOSS: We were doing the best we could with the restrictions in New Zealand. We've in some cases we have had to uplift fuel out of Nadi for the return based on the restrictions in Auckland. We have not had to cancel any flights at this point and we hope we don't have to but you know we will be looking at combining some flights if the need arises and if we have to divert to uplift fuel at other ports then we will do so. But at this stage we are operating as normal and we are working on our schedule for the rest of the week to ensure that we do the best that we can to not disrupt any one. But if the need arises then we will be communicating to our trallers as to how we will be accommodating them with various flights.

JENNY MEYER: So there is a possibility that some flights might be cancelled if the situation doesn't improve?

SV: That's correct. However at this point we are hoping that we don't have to go to that extent to cancel but it depends on how things pan out in Auckland.

JM: And how are things at the airports there in Fiji? I understand that some of the longhaul flights between New Zealand and America for example are actually having to stop there in Fiji to pick up extra fuel.

SV: I can't really comment on that. We are basically as far as our flights are concerned, all our other flights are operating normally.

JM: Have you got any idea in terms of time frame as to how long this problem is likely to persist for?

SV: No not at all and I think it is really up to the New Zealand authorities and airports in  New Zealand to communicate that. But as far as we are concerned they have indicated that it was going to be something like ten days and that is what we are working on right now.

JM: Do you imagine that it might have any impact on tourism in Fiji at all? Are you still selling flights as normal for example?

SV: We are still selling flights as normal and we will do whatever it takes. If we have to divert to pickup fuel in Christchurch or you know another port we will do that and we will ensure that we've got our customers looked after and direct them as we can and if we need to divert, we will divert flights to pick up fuel.