Suva: Fiji’s national carrier Air Pacific has thanked the Fijian government for granting a departure tax waiver to passengers selected for humanitarian flights being offered to New Zealand to support victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Under the proposed Christchurch humanitarian initiative, up to 100 affected Christchurch residents will be invited to spend one week at selected resorts in Fiji, and air travel and accommodation during the seven-day stay in resorts in Nadi will be complimentary.

"Air Pacific is extremely grateful to the Fijian Government and to our colleagues in various resorts here in Fiji for their assistance in this proposed humanitarian initiative."

"This is an effort that was launched by the people of Fiji for the people of Christchurch,” Samisoni Pareti, spokesperson for Air Pacific said.

More information will be released once the initiative is finalised in conjuction with crisis management agencies in New Zealand.

Air Pacific and its subsidiary Pacific Sun together fly more than 500 flights per week. The company operates B747, B767, and B737 aircraft to 18 cities in 12 countries. Destinations include places like Hong Kong, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Western Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and of course Fiji. Air Pacific aircraft bring in over 66% of all visitors who fly to Fiji.

It employs over 950 people, earns gross revenue of F$600 million, and contributes 11% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Pacific Sun operates a combination of ATR 42-500s and De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft on Fiji’s domestic island routes and between Suva, Tonga and Tuvalu as well as between Nadi and Port Vila.