National carrier Fiji Airways and the Pacific Community (SPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for greater regional connectivity, sustainability initiatives and the promotion of Pacific stories.
The agreement will bring together Fiji Airways’ regional network and international reach with SPC’s scientific and technical expertise to support development priorities across the Pacific.
The partnership will explore ways to support travel for SPC’s regional programs, meetings and events through Fiji Airways’ network and its wider airline partnerships.
Sustainability is another key area of cooperation, with SPC’s expertise in climate science, ocean and environmental research, and disaster resilience expected to complement Fiji Airways’ Maroroya sustainability strategy, ‘Our Planet, Our People, Our Responsibility’.
The organisations will also explore the possibility of including SPC’s Pacific Way TV content in Fiji Airways’ inflight entertainment, giving the region another platform to showcase its people, cultures and development priorities to international travellers. Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer Paul Scurrah said the partnership would build on the strengths of both organisations and create opportunities to contribute to regional development.
“Connectivity is at the heart of what we do at Fiji Airways,” Mr Scurrah said. “It is how we connect Fiji and the Pacific to the world and bring the world to our region. But our role goes beyond getting people from one place to another. By combining our strengths, we have an opportunity to support regional development, advance sustainability collaboration and share authentic Pacific stories with a global audience.”
SPC deputy director-general Maria Fuata said the partnership was about more than travel, highlighting the importance of connectivity in helping the organisation deliver its work to Pacific communities.
“This is beyond just travel. We want to be able to get our solutions, whether it’s to do with climate change, education, human rights, we want to get those to our communities better, and so having connectivity and access through this partnership is very important for us to enable our work,” Ms Fuata said.
Founded in 1947, SPC serves 27 member countries and territories, including 22 Pacific Island countries and territories. It works with governments and communities through scientific research, technical cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The signing comes as Fiji Airways marks 75 years of connecting Fiji and the wider Pacific to the world, ahead of SPC’s 80th anniversary in 2027.
