Minister for Foreign Affairs Sakiasi Ditoka has defended Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s participation in the inaugural Fiji Airways flight to the Gold Coast, arguing that the Prime Minister’s presence was an important part of promoting Fiji’s tourism and economic interests.
In a statement posted on social media, Ditoka dismissed criticism surrounding the Prime Minister’s attendance, saying some people were “determined to find a scandal where none exists.”
He said inaugural international flights are major commercial and tourism events for Fiji Airways, which he described as one of Fiji’s most important national companies and among the country’s greatest economic success stories.
“Of course the airline would want the Prime Minister on board,” Ditoka said.
“The presence of the Head of Government generates publicity, media coverage and attention that no marketing campaign can buy. That is the entire point of an inaugural flight.”
Ditoka argued that the success of new international routes extends beyond the airline itself, benefiting multiple sectors of the economy.
“When a new route succeeds, more visitors come to Fiji. Hotels benefit. Taxi drivers benefit. Farmers benefit. Restaurants benefit. Small businesses benefit. Fiji benefits,” he said.
The minister also criticised those questioning the Prime Minister’s participation, suggesting some were inconsistent in their expectations of government support for key industries.
“The strange thing is that many of the same people who criticise the Prime Minister for attending such events would be the first to complain if Government failed to support tourism, trade and investment promotion,” he said.
Ditoka said leadership required actively creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to emerge.
“Leadership does not mean sitting behind a desk in Suva waiting for opportunities to appear. Leadership means helping create those opportunities,” he stated.
He further suggested that some critics had either misunderstood or deliberately blurred the distinction between official engagements and personal travel.
“Some critics appear unable to distinguish between a holiday and an official engagement. Others understand the difference perfectly well but choose to ignore it for political purposes,” Ditoka said.
“Either way, the argument is weak.”
The minister concluded by linking the national carrier’s performance directly to the country’s broader economic interests.
“The success of Fiji Airways is the success of Fiji. Supporting that success is exactly what a Prime Minister should be doing,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s presence on the inaugural Nadi-Gold Coast service has drawn debate in recent days, with critics questioning the appropriateness of the trip, while government ministers have maintained that such engagements are part of promoting Fiji’s tourism and investment agenda.
