Fiji Airways has advised its guests that it is unable to take on fuel in Tuvalu necessary for the return trips to Suva in light of the breakdown of the airport refueling facilities at Funafuti International Airport.
The airline stated it had been advised by the Tuvalu authorities that they expected to restore the refueling capability at Funafuti by September 10 (2023).
“We are making every effort to assist the Tuvalu authorities in this but until then, we are forced to carry fuel for the return FUN-SUV (Funafuti-Suva) sector, and consequently we must reduce the number of guests and baggage carried,” the airline stated in a statement yesterday.
“We have contacted guests potentially affected by this restriction and working with them to find a resolution.
“We would advise anyone wishing to get further advice on the refueling situation at Funafuti to contact the Tuvalu High Commission in Suva or the nearest Tuvalu diplomatic post.”
In June this year, services to Tuvalu had also been affected by fuel shortage and supply issues at Funafuti International Airport, requiring the national carrier to review its flight loads.
That resulted in some customers who had prior bookings not being able to board their flights to Funafuti for days.
And because of the lack of certified fuel supply on the island then, Fiji Airways had had to carry extra fuel for the return leg of its flights to Tuvalu, resulting in reduced payload between Suva-Funafuti-Suva.
