SUVA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Fiji Airways announced on Wednesday to further extend the suspension of all its international flights to the end of September due to ongoing border closures and travel restrictions as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking in a statement issued on Wednesday, Fiji Airways said that it continues preparations for a revised network plan, which will be revealed when easing of border restrictions is announced. The national carrier also is progressing with the implementation of its Travel Ready program, which details measures to safeguard the health and medical safety of customers and staff when international flying resumes.

Fiji Airways is contacting impacted guests who were booked to travel in September. Similar to previous advisories, impacted guests booked through travel agents and third parties will be contacted by those parties. Fiji Airways' freighter flights and Fiji Link domestic services will continue to operate.

The COVID-19 has had a very serious impact on Fiji Airways, which has laid off more than 700 staff members including all cabin crew and all 79 expatriate pilots. Eight expatriate executives have also had their employment terminated, with five expatriate staff remaining, including Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen.

To help Fiji Airways keep afloat, the Fijian parliament has approved the motion for the government to guarantee the Fiji Airways borrowing of 455 million Fijian dollars (about 213 million U.S. dollars). Enditem

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