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Pacific Sun Awaits Required Safety Improvements to Labasa Runway Before Re-Commencing Services:
Pacific Sun wishes to advise that further to its announcement on Saturday that there will be no flights into Labasa this week until AFL completes required safety improvements to Labasa runway. As a result, all passengers whose flights were cancelled this week, who wish to travel to Vanua Levu are requested to contact the airline’s Call Centre for alternative arrangements.
Customers holding tickets to Labasa as well as those wishing to travel to and from Labasa will continue to have the option of flying to Savusavu.
As a result of the delay in re-starting Labasa operations, Pacific Sun intends to run supplementary services into Savusavu from Suva and Nadi until Labasa airport can resume ATR-42 operations. However, customers are requested to note that the seat capacity on the much smaller Twin Otter aircraft is lower than the ATR aircraft, and Savusavu airport is restricted to daytime operations only. For these reasons, there is a limitation on getting customers to Vanua Levu, hence the request for customers to contact our Call Centre on 3304388 for confirmed re-bookings and travel arrangements.
As announced on Saturday, Pacific Sun, following second round of inspections by its Safety and Flight Operations teams, have determined that safety requirements dictate that additional work must be accomplished to prevent loose gravel and rocks from the repaired runway from damaging ATR-42 and DH-6 Otter aircraft and engines.
Because of these safety requirements and aircraft hazards, Pacific Sun will not resume ATR-42 or DH6 Twin Otter operations to Labasa until AFL competes additional work to ensure the safety of its operations.
As a result, Pacific Sun regrettably advises that all services into Labasa are cancelled until further notice. A decision on resumption of ATR-42 and DH6 Otter services into Labasa will be made after another assessment by Air Pacific and Pacific Sun Safety teams following additional runway work by AFL.
"We've made this difficult but necessary decision to cancel services to Labasa from Nadi and Suva in the interest of safety - for our customers, crew, and our aircraft", said Pacific Sun General Manager Shaenaz Voss. We've already had to repair and replace three ATR-42 engines this year due to damage caused by the condition of the old runway, and we cannot resume operations until the repaired runway meets all safety standards.
"Safety is an uncompromising priority for us, and until the runway meets our strict safety standards, we will not be able to operate our ATR or Twin Otter aircraft into Labasa."
Customers holding tickets for Labasa services are advised to contact our call centre on 3304388 for further advice, including options on alternative flights to Savusavu.