Fiji's Air Pacific reports disappointing year for airfreight

FIJI's Air Pacific has blamed low consumer spending, local political strife coupled with a low Fiji dollar and cheap ocean freight for "disappointing" performance in airfreight.

Reduced imports of perishables, lower fish exports and high fuel costs, resulted in lower tonnage, the company said in a report in Australia's Aircargo Asia Pacific magazine. The carrier said it was also obliged to spend more to meet expensive regulatory and security demands.

Fuel costs increased to US$36.5 million. Cargo and excess baggage tonne kilometre for 2006/07 were worth $69.8 million compared to $92.3 million in 2005/06. Cargo and excess baggage tonne kilometre for 2006/07 were worth $69.8 million compared to $92.3 million in 2005/06.

Schedules were also disrupted by increased bird strikes, costing the carrier $14.6 million in 2006/07. Bird strikes can damage of aircraft and some airlines are at greater risk as they fly on major bird migration routes.

Mail tonne kilometres were 776,000 compared to 951,000 in 2005/06. Revenue tonne kilometres were 444,520 million compared to 449,627 million in 2005/06.

The report says management at times refused freight if it meant the airline would suffer a net loss because of fuel prices.