Fiji has entered into a significant bilateral air transport agreement with the United States, aimed at enhancing the relationship between the two nations. This agreement was signed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, during the conclusion of the third day of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The Fiji Open Skies Agreement is expected to promote tourism and trade activities between Fiji and the US. US Ambassador to Fiji, Marie Damour, highlighted that this agreement will boost travel in both directions and encourage more economic interactions between the two countries.
Damour noted that the collaboration between Fiji Airways and major US carriers such as JetBlue, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines has strengthened aviation links, and this new agreement will further enhance that collaboration in the future. She emphasized that by finalizing this growth-focused, competition-friendly, and consumer-oriented agreement, Fiji is joining a group of partners committed to sustaining an open and modern air service market.
The ambassador also reiterated the importance of the strong ties between the US and Fiji, acknowledging their long-standing cooperation in peacekeeping, regional security, and hopes for closer economic relations moving forward.