Fiji Airways CEO still hopeful of “early” travel bubble with Australia

Fiji Airways CEO still hopeful of “early” travel bubble with Australia

Fiji Airways CEO Andre Viljoen is optimistic about the possibility of the Pacific Island destination forming a bubble with Australia before the country’s international travel ban is due to be lifted.

Following the news yesterday from Health Minister Greg Hunt that Australia’s ban on overseas travel will be extended until 17 December, Viljoen said he hopes Fiji will be at the top of Aussies’ travel lists when the borders reopen, if not sooner.

“Come the 17th December, Fiji Airways will be ready to welcome Aussies back to our home, reuniting families and enjoying vacations,” he said.

“Should the opportunity arise for an early travel bubble between Australia and Fiji based on vaccination rates, rest assured we’re ready to fly you there.

“As of today, Fiji has a higher vaccination rate than Australia and is on target to have the entire working population vaccinated by November. This is an incredible achievement and puts us on track to be the most COVID-safe holiday destination in the world.

“Ultimately, when Aussies are looking for COVID-safe travel, we want Fiji to be the ‘vacci-nation’ of choice.”

Fiji Airways CEO Andre Viljoen

Viljoen said Fiji Airways’ flight schedules will be released immediately following an official announcement by the federal government outlining border requirements and the travel framework.

“One of these will undoubtedly be that visitors must be fully vaccinated, a position Fiji Airways strongly supports,” he said.

Last month, Tourism Minister Dan Tehan named the Pacific Islands amongst a list of destinations that were “very keen” to form a travel bubble with Australia, noting that “work’s being done in that regard”.

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