Fiji Airways seeks full complement of US market rights

By Andrew Curran.

Fiji Airways has told the US Department of Transportation that its authority to operate services to the United States is “necessarily limited” by previous air services agreements and, following the ratification of a new agreement, is seeking the full range of rights now available.

In a July 14, 2026, filing, Fiji Airways said it wants “more operational flexibility to react to changing market demands”, which it says will enable it to better serve customers and expand operations through additional codeshare arrangements.

The filing states that Fiji Airways has no immediate plans to launch new services to the United States. The airline currently flies to Honolulu (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), although it is ending services to DFW in September, citing rising fuel costs and shifting market demand.

The application was made pursuant to 49 U.S.C. §§ 40109 and 41301, and Part 211 of the Department’s economic regulations.

Fiji Airways wants to tap rights under new air service agreement

Fiji Airways is seeking an exemption and an amended foreign air carrier permit authorising it to conduct scheduled and charter air services carrying passengers, cargo and mail to the full extent permitted under the air service agreement between the United States and Fiji, which entered into force in August 2024.

The previous agreement, under which Fiji Airways continues to operate, allows the airline to transport passengers, cargo and mail between Fiji and various points in the Pacific and South Pacific, Hawaii, and specified destinations in the United States and Canada. The airline also holds a number of exemptions, including authority to operate services to Dallas/Fort Worth.

“With the new Agreement now in place between the United States and Fiji, Fiji Airways seeks the full complement of rights now available to it,” the filing states.

Specifically, Fiji Airways is seeking authority to (i) transport people, property and mail from points behind Fiji, via Fiji and intermediate points, to any point or points in the United States and beyond, (ii) operate scheduled and charter cargo and mail services between the United States and any point or points, and (iii) conduct other charter operations, subject to the approval requirements of 14 CFR Part 212 of the Department’s regulations.

Request consistent with rights now available to Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways says its application is consistent with the expanded air services agreement. It argues that approving the application would serve the public interest by allowing the airline to expand its US operations and provide additional travel and freight options in the United States – South Pacific market.

Fiji Airways has already taken advantage of the expanded air services agreement in recent years, including seeking approval to place its FJ flight code on WestJet-operated services between its US gateways and WestJet's Canadian destinations.

The airline has also secured approval for an expanded codeshare arrangement with Alaska Airlines. Among the rights granted was permission for Alaska Airlines to place the FJ flight code on services operated between airports within the United States and between US airports and destinations in third countries.

Fiji relies heavily on tourism to support its economy, and majority state-owned Fiji Airways is a key part of that strategy. The airline carries around 64% of all passenger traffic travelling to and from Fiji and regards North America as a strategically important market with significant growth potential.

You can read the full filing here.

Photo: Fiji Airways.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com