The charterer of the Israel flights last year, Michael Mausio, says his company WABS Pacific Pte Ltd has operated private charter flights within the region since 2019.
In a statement, responding to recent allegations against his company, Mr Mausio said they had helped facilitate repatriation and private flights in the Pacific to countries such as PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Australia and American Samoa via airlines such as Fiji Airways, Air Niugini and Talofa Airways.
He maintained that the company had an excellent track record with these companies in terms of payments of charter services.
“WABS Pacific entered into a standard commercial agreement with Fiji Airways to provide charter service for our client, namely ICEJ Fiji and Faith Harvest for the chartering of an aircraft to transport our clients from Fiji to Israel in 2023,” the statement read.
“The company acts as facilitator and service provider for its clients and is bound by our charter agreement to meet necessary payment, terms of agreement between WABS Pacific and Fiji Airways including terms of agreement between WABS Pacific and her clients ICEJ Fiji and Faith Harvest remain confidential in nature.
“The company and its director strongly reject accusation of both money laundering and affiliation to any political party.
“WABS Pacific and its director has never been associated to any political party nor has the company or director made any financial contribution towards any current or past political parties.”
He said the company had proceeded forward with legal action against individuals making “false accusation about the company”.
“WABS Pacific also welcomes any FICAC investigation into allegations levelled against the company and its director.”
This newspaper also asked Mr Mausio about the payment owed to Fiji Airways, how much has been paid, and the outstanding balance.
However, he said the press statement contained the only information that could be shared.
