Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell and the Republic of Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka signed an Open Skies Air Transportation Agreement today on the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Nuku'alofa to advance our countries' bilateral aviation cooperation. The Agreement will bring the civil aviation transportation relationship between the United States and Fiji to the highest modern standard.
The Agreement with the Republic of Fiji will expand our strong economic and commercial partnership, promote people-to-people ties, and create new opportunities for customers, airlines, and travel companies. Under this Agreement, Fiji Airways plans to launch non-stop flights between Dallas and Fiji, beginning this December. Air carriers will be able to provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, promoting tourism and commerce. The Agreement also commits both governments to high standards of aviation safety and security.
The Agreement includes unrestricted capacity and frequency of services for both passenger and all-cargo carriers, open route rights, an open charter regime, self-handling provisions, and open code-sharing opportunities. The Agreement entered into force upon signature.
The new Agreement builds on a framework of U.S. Open Skies agreements with more than 135 other partners that enable U.S. air carriers to operate and expand flight networks beyond U.S. borders and connect the U.S. economy to growing markets.
