It would be “wholly improper” for Government to use public funds to bail out any of the parties involved in the Fiji Airways charter to Israel dispute says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Prof Biman Prasad.
He said it would also be improper for Government to interfere in ongoing court proceedings.
“This is a commercial transaction between the airline and the charterer,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has already made clear that Fiji Airways should get what it is owed by the charterer.”
He also ruled out any Cabinet-approved support.
“No, it has never been brought to the Ministry of Finance to address this matter through any contingency, guarantee, indemnity, or subsidy,” he said.
“This is strictly a matter between Fiji Airways and the charterer to resolve through the courts.”
Asked what Government’s position would be if the charterer failed to settle the balance, Prof Prasad pointed again to the Prime Minister’s comments in Honiara during the Pacific Islands Forum.
“The Hon Prime Minister could not have been any clearer, that Fiji Airways should get what it is owed by the charterer. The courts overseeing this matter will decide,” he said.
Prof Prasad also confirmed no assurances were given by Government at the time of the flights, nor were there any discussions with foreign partners regarding cost recovery.
“There are no such discussions with foreign partners or agencies regarding cost recovery, nor has the Ministry of Finance initiated any such discussions,” he said.
Prof Prasad said the issue was already placed before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs during its scrutiny of Fiji Airways’ 2023 Annual Report, the first time such detailed questioning had taken place in over a decade.
