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Greater China

Aug 3, 2005

Air Fiji defends new Chinese-made MA60 aircraft

SUVA - responding to concerns raised by the Tuvalu Government on the safety of its new Chinese-built MA60 aircraft, Air Fiji Limited said it had conducted in-depth research into aircraft type for its fleet for several months and was satisfied that the MA60 would be the airline's flagship into the Pacific.

Air Fiji chairman David Robertson said the MA60 is an aircraft that is "well priced in the market, [has] competitive [operating] costs and a design well suited to the Pacific region. It is intended the aircraft will lead the way for Air Fiji's entry into the regional Pacific market. The Air Fiji Limited Board agreed to select this aircraft against some other four aircraft types that were analyzed and presented for consideration, [because] the MA60 was the best all-round aircraft available," Mr Robertson said.

Mr Robertson has strongly denied claims that Air Fiji has been used as a testing ground for the aircraft. "We have no doubts as to the capabilities of the MA60 ... and as a company look forward to see it flying in the skies of the Pacific."

Tuvalu, which is the majority shareholder in Air Fiji, has shown reservations about the new acquisition. Speaking exclusively to PACNEWS, Minister for Transport Saufatu Sopoanga said Tuvalu has raised its concerns with the Fiji-based airline, which currently services Tuvalu. "The real concern we have [is that] apart from being Chinese built, it is also fairly new in the market. It is the safety of the Tuvaluan people we are dealing with," Mr Sopoanga said. The aircraft is to be used on Air Fiji's regional route, which services Funafuti.

"We are happy that the aircraft capacity has increased to 60 but safety is more important," he said. "We are also concerned that the aircraft is not internationally certified." Mr Sopoanga said a trial period should be given for the aircraft to prove itself.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Fiji Islands (CAAFI) says it is currently sourcing experts to review the design and manufacturing process of the aircraft. The Air Fiji chairman says CAAFI officials recently visited the MA60 factory in China. "They have advised that they do not have a concern regarding the aircraft, however, because [of] the limited resources that they have at their disposal it is likely to mean that they will need outside help to provide certification," Mr Robertson said. "As a [general principle], when a new aircraft type is introduced, regardless of its origin, CAAFI is required to carry out a very comprehensive analysis of the [entire] aircraft which will be obviously the case for the MA60."

(Asia Pulse/Pacnews)

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