Post Fiji begins selling e-tickets

Post Fiji outlets across the country have begun selling Pacific Blue flights to and from Fiji from today giving locals easier access to the airline’s fares.

Low cost carrier, Pacific Blue launched flights to Fiji in September 2004 and until now the only method of purchasing flights was via the Internet using a credit card or from GSA (Air Fiji) travel agents or Pacific Blue team members at the airport.

The new arrangement means locals will now be able to visit Post Fiji and book and pay for their Pacific Blue flights to Australia with the option of using cash notes and coins or a credit card.

Post Fiji says that in Fiji currently, only 10 per cent of business is by credit cards while 90 per cent is cash. “We are targeting this part of the business.”

Pacific Blue says feedback from customers were that many were disadvantaged as they didn’t have a credit card or a computer.

“It will also bring Pacific Blue flights within reach of those living in smaller communities who don’t have credit cards or local travel agents and who don’t want to travel 200 kilometers by road to Suva or Nadi to book an international flight.”

Pacific Blue’s chief executive Brett Godfrey says that due to low Internet and credit card usage in Fiji, they were confident that their new relationship with Post Fiji will allow locals to take advantage of the affordable fares the airline has to offer.

The airline says that since its entry, the number of people traveling between Fiji and Australia and vice versa has grown by 142,000 passengers, marking an increase of 36 per cent.

Pacific Blue currently offers 10 direct flights a week from Australia to Fiji (from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth).

Pacific Blue head of commercial – international Karam Chand says the growth was achieved while both Virgin Blue and Air Pacific posted good profits and consumers enjoyed value fares.

Chand says the airline is working on increasing flights to Fiji and to add more destinations over time.

“The markets are growing and large enough to accommodate low cost carriers and legacy airlines.”

Launching the Post Fiji/Pacific Blue Partnership, Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry described the arrangement as resourceful and creative business techniques.

“Realising the limited prospects for growth in the postal market that a small developing island economy offers, the Post Fiji management has ventured into a diversification programme that is truly commendable.”

Chaudhry says that Fiji has still some way to go before the majority of the people have access to advanced technology.

“This partnership arrangement has made it simpler for customers to just pay cash over the counter and receive their Pacific Blue e-tickets.”

Post Fiji introduced airline ticketing as a part of its diversification when it undertook ticketing for Air Fiji in 2005.