COMMODORE JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA, CF(Mil), OStJ, MSD, jssc, psc

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Public Service, Peoples Charter for Change and Progress, Information, i-Taukei Affairs, Provincial Development, Sugar Industry and Lands and Mineral Resources

Vale ni Bose Complex                                                        Mon. 14^th May, 2012

NASESE                                                                               1500 Hours

Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation;

Chairman of Fiji Airways Board and members;

CEO of Fiji Airways;

Staff of Fiji Airways;

Invited Guests;

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Bula Vinaka and welcome.

Thank you, Dave, for the wonderful presentation, and thank you on behalf of all Fijians for the generous contribution to the Flood Appeal.

Government has taken proactive and direct measures to ensure immediate or near-immediate relief and care for those affected by the devastating floods in January and March this year, and for the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure. And these efforts will continue with urgency.

We are grateful to our international partners, companies, and individuals that have already contributed so much to Fiji – like Fiji Airways – for their continued support, so we can best serve the needs of our citizens.

I am pleased to join everyone here today to commemorate the official launch announcement of Fiji Airways.

As Fijians, we take great pride in our country and now our national airline can better reflect this in name also. The world-renowned hospitality in Fiji extends all the way to its air travel experience.

There are exciting times ahead for our national airline. The new interior cabin design will be revealed in the coming months. The general public and the tourism industry look forward in anticipation of the new design.

All of these positive changes in Fiji Airways, formerly Air Pacific, in recent years, have been facilitated by, and has the support of my Government.

My Government recognizes that Fiji Airways as the national carrier is vital to our economy. It, therefore, is only logical that Fiji Airways continues to be a viable and sustainable commercial entity.

It is, therefore, only logical that the staff, the management, the shareholders and the other partners remain committed to Fiji Airways.

Any deviation from this objective could spell disaster for the national carrier, its employees, the tourism sector, and the economy as a whole as seen in other countries.

That is why I am glad to be here today because Fiji Airways, under the new direction set out by the Board; its CEO; the management; the positive relationship that has been fostered under the Essential Industries Decree; FNPF with its participation through a commercially viable credit facility; and Government, of course, has set a path that is built on a firm foundation.

It has reliability and sustainability built into it.

This collaboration and vision sustains jobs, creates jobs, grows our economy, and positions Fiji as a destination for investors and holidaying.

I congratulate the Fiji Airways team. We all now look forward to the announcement of the new interior design and, of course, the new Air Buses.

Vinaka vakalevu.

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