Double trouble delays Fiji Airways flights

FIJI – Fiji Airways passengers waiting at the Brisbane Airport are calling for answers from airline authorities as some of them have missed their vacations and one family missed a funeral.

On Sunday, Australian media reported passengers had been at the airport for three days affecting the Nadi to Sydney, Nadi to Brisbane, Nadi to Melbourne, Nadi to Auckland and Nadi to LA routes.

Fiji Airways Manager public relations Shane Hussein said the airline had two issues which caused delays to a few flights.

These were illness of a pilot and one aircraft needing mechanical attention.

The airline has announced it will compensate passengers who were affected by flight disruptions over the weekend.

Hussein said they were aware of the impact on their customers and deeply regretted the disruptions.

“Whilst the events were unforeseen and every effort was taken to accommodate and communicate with our customers, there are clearly lessons to be learnt and so we are using this as an opportunity to review our disruption management protocols,” he said.

The Nadi to Brisbane and Brisbane to Nadi flights last Thursday due to flight crew illness.

He said affected passengers were notified and re-scheduled to fly the next day on the larger A330 aircraft.

“On Friday, Fiji Airways was alerted that the aircraft needed mechanical attention and this necessitated a delay to the departure time for passengers flying Brisbane to Nadi.

“Following examination of the aircraft, it was determined the fix required an extra part to be flown in from another city. At that point, the flight was further delayed.

“Passengers who were connecting to Los Angeles were re-routed to fly direct, while some others were routed to Fiji via Sydney. Others were booked to travel the next day.”

As a result, subsequent Fiji Airways flights to Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles on Saturday and Sunday were delayed.