SHANGHAI has been identified as an ideal port of entry for Fiji’s direct flights to China.
In Parliament on Wednesday, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said discussions on the Air Services Agreement between Fiji and China were progressing well.
“The Air Services Agreement (ASA) signed in 1997, lays the regulatory foundation for bilateral air connectivity between the two countries,” Mr Gavoka said.
“Under that agreement, designated airlines from both Fiji and China are granted the rights to operate scheduled commercial air services on routes between Nadi and Beijing.
“While direct air services between these points have not yet commenced, Shanghai has emerged as the preferred point of connection for these services.”
Mr Gavoka said Shanghai Pudong International Airport served as a critical transit point for passengers travelling between China and various international destinations.
“Its extensive network facilitates connections to numerous global locations, making it an advantageous starting point for flights in Fiji.
“This connectivity is particularly beneficial for travellers from other parts of China, who can transit through Shanghai to reach Fiji.
“Shanghai is the preferred route for our national airline for direct and code sharing air services.”
Mr Gavoka said China was also considering adding Shanghai to the ASA between the two countries.
“In parallel, we are engaged in continuous discussions at technical level with our Chinese counterpart on additional terms.
“Once these terms are finalised, we will be able to establish a clear path forward, to ensure timely and effective execution.”
