Fiji’s national airline Fiji Airways has rejected allegations made against the company in a complaint directed to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in connection with certain charter flights it operated between Fiji and Israel in September and October last year.
According to the airline, the allegations primarily concerned the legality of a Deed of Forbearance and guarantee entered into between Fiji Airways and the charterer, who it added faced “challenges meeting its payment obligations” in connection with the charter flights.
A Fiji Airways statement said the deed was drafted by the company’s legal counsel, “and was a prudent and lawful measure taken to protect the company’s interests, and ensure a viable payment plan”.
The airline stated the deed did not reduce the amount payable by the charterer for the charter flights, rather payment was split into instalments.
“While a payment instalment due in December 2023 was missed, the company is in ongoing communication with the charterer, and expects to receive full payment of the outstanding balance of the charter price in the coming weeks.”
It reiterated that the decision to operate the charter flights to Israel was based purely on commercial considerations.
