The Solomon Islands civil aviation authority says it is up to Fiji to resolve an impasse between the two countries over aviation rights by lifting its suspension.
Both countries have suspended the other’s flights between Honiara and Nadi and are calling for each other to lift their suspensions.
The director of the Solomons Aviation Authority, George Satu, said Fiji authorities issued a suspension in response to his denial of its request for a new slot on Saturdays for a second service.
He told Radio New Zealand that he denied that extra service due to conflicting schedules and in return Fiji suspended Solomon Islands flights into Nadi.
“I would say the ball is [in] the Fijian authority’s court because for them to suspend an approved schedule for no good reason – it is in their court – because my action was on a new slot not on the existing schedule.”
George Satu said he would welcome talks with the Fiji government to resolve the situation and he is reviewing the air service agreement between the two countries.
The Fiji Government has said the responsibility lies with Solomon Islands after it suspended Fiji flights.
HONIARA, (RNZI)