THE inaugural flight between Tarawa and Nadi not only marks a major milestone in air transportation but is also the beginning of a new chapter says Air Kiribati chief executive Iosabata Namakin.
Their maiden voyage into Nadi on Saturday afternoon was given a "traditional" welcome with two Airports Fiji Limited fire trucks spraying water from each side of the aircraft
Mr Namakin said Air Kiribati had contracted Our Airline services to provide initially a weekly Tarawa-Nadi-Tarawa service.
Our Airline chief executive Karam Chand said it was a special day for Air Kiribati, Our Airline and the three nations of Fiji, Nauru and Kiribati.
He said Our Airline formerly known as Air Nauru has entered into an interline arrangement whereby it could market Fiji-Nauru services using a combination of its own and Air Kiribati flights.
Meanwhile Fiji's Director Civil Aviation Akuila Waradi said the new service was a clear demonstration of the continuing confidence in the development of Fiji's aviation industry.