The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has signalled a renewed push to rebuild formal ties with airlines in the South Pacific, saying the industry body will re-engage with the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA) to turn cooperation into concrete improvements for regional connectivity. Sheldon Hee, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific, made the comments on the cusp of ASPA’s 44th Annual General Meeting and 81st General Session, saying the pandemic interrupted what had been a working relationship and it is time to resume it.
“It’s been some time since we’ve had a formal sort of link‑up. And I think we used to work together, but then after COVID, the pandemic, it stopped. And I think it’s about time that we resume some of these connections,” Hee said, reflecting on the gap caused by travel restrictions and the industry shock of COVID‑19. With close to 30 years’ experience in aviation, Hee stressed that re-establishing those links is not merely symbolic but must produce practical outcomes for airlines and communities across the Pacific.
Hee identified improved efficiency as a primary goal for the renewed engagement, saying IATA continues to champion policies and technical measures that make air services more effective. “Efficient is very much what IATA stands for still today. We still champion policies that encourage better connections, better connectivity throughout. So, for the Asia‑Pacific Islands, I think for us, we come in to advise on opportunities for improving connectivity wherever that’s possible,” he said.
The move comes as aviation remains central to Pacific economies’ recovery and long‑term connectivity. Hee highlighted that air travel is often the only practical means to link island communities with each other and with major markets in Asia and Australasia. That connectivity underpins tourism, trade and access to essential services, all of which were severely disrupted during the pandemic. Previous reporting has shown Fiji’s public finances and economy suffered steep revenue declines during COVID‑19, underscoring how critical the restart and strengthening of air links are to national recovery plans.
IATA’s intended approach appears to be advisory and technical—working with ASPA members to identify opportunities for streamlining operations, regulatory alignment and policy measures that reduce costs and increase service frequency. Hee framed this not only in economic terms but as a contribution to community growth: “We see aviation as having so much potential in strengthening the growth of the community in Asia‑Pacific as well, specifically in the Pacific Islands. And we look forward to seeing what we can do there – contribution and support.”
ASPA’s upcoming meetings bring together regional carriers at a time when many are rebuilding networks and retooling business models in response to changed travel patterns. For Pacific Island states such as Fiji, stronger coordination between airlines, IATA and regional bodies could accelerate the restoration of routes and the operational efficiencies needed to make services commercially viable. Hee’s comments set expectations that the renewed relationship will focus on actionable changes rather than high‑level rhetoric, though he gave no specific timetable or list of initiatives.
The IATA‑ASPA re‑engagement will be watched closely by airlines, regulators and governments across the Pacific, where reliable air connectivity remains a linchpin of economic resilience and social links. The next steps and any technical or policy packages that emerge from talks at ASPA’s session will indicate whether the revival of ties translates into faster, cheaper and more dependable air connections for island communities.