Fiji Airways has maintained it had done its due diligence before undertaking the Israel charter flights in September and October last year.
In a statement, the national carrier said the charterer was subjected to a thorough and extensive vetting process before a decision was taken to proceed with the flights.
The company added that whilst a payment instalment due in December 2023 was missed, they were in ongoing communication with the charterer.
According to the airline, it expected to receive full payment of the outstanding balance of the charter price in the coming weeks.
Fiji Airways says its decision to operate the charter flights to Israel was based purely on commercial considerations, and the charterer and guarantors were vetted through an extensive process.
According to the airline, the vetting process also considered the charterer’s history of operating successful international charters and making timely payments.
Following this, the company’s management and board of directors decided to proceed with the charter flights.
In a statement, the company said a payment installment due in December 2023 was missed, but the company was in communication with the charterer, and expected to receive full payment of the outstanding balance of the charter price in the coming weeks.
The company said it stood by its ethical business practices and remained committed to transparency.
In recent weeks, a few allegations have been levelled against the airline regarding the charter flight to Israel by a group of local Christian pilgrims.
A complaint was also lodged with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
The airline said it would cooperate fully with any lawful investigation initiated by FICAC.
“Fiji Airways strongly rejects the allegations made against the company and its board of directors,” the statement said.
“The allegations primarily concern the legality of a Deed of Forbearance and guarantee entered into between Fiji Airways and the charterer, who faced challenges meeting its payment obligations in connection with the charter flights.
“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 statement also said the deed did not reduce the amount payable by the charterer to Fiji Airways for the charter flights, but rather, the payment was split into installments.
“The deed was not registered on the Personal Property Securities Register, because it does not create a security interest in personal property capable of registration,” the statement said.
The airline also revealed it was taking legal advice in respect of “false and defamatory” allegations.
