The International Air Services Commission (IASC) has approved an application by Virgin Blue which would allow it to transfer 360 seats of capacity from V Australia to Pacific Blue on the Fiji route.
The approval clears the way for Pacific Blue to operate one weekly 737 service on the Sydney-Nadi route in place of a V Australia 777-300ER, while also grants it the option to add a third weekly service on the Melbourne-Nadi route. Under the changes in capacity, V Australia will maintain its 777 services six days per week.
In 2009, Pacific Blue transferred 360 seats of capacity to V Australia to operate daily frequencies on the Sydney-Nadi route. That allocation included 180 seats intended to start a third weekly Melbourne-Nadi service, which is now expected to be announced shortly.
Jetstar is the only other Australian carrier with an allocation to fly between Australia and Fiji, and will begin four times weekly services on Sydney-Nadi from March 29. Qantas codeshares on Air Pacific’s services between the two cities.
