Freedom Air is to resume its Palmerston North-Fiji service -- the announcement coming at almost the same time as further suggestions of political unease arose in Fiji.
Details of the new service will be announced next Wednesday.
Freedom's acting chief Michael Young said the service launch date was still subject to formal
government approvals.
The airline was also exploring further new routes, additional to its existing Australian links, Mr Young said.
Palmerston North Airport chief Garry Goodman said he was very pleased with the resumption.
"I think Freedom will be in a good position to make it a success, considering the previous success," he said.
The Palmerston North-Fiji service was performing well when it was suspended in mid-2000 due to political instability in Fiji.
Freedom's Wednesday evening announcement coincided with Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase making a national television address to calm concerns about a supposed dangerous rift between the Fijian government and military.
Mr Young said Freedom was doing nothing at this stage other than watching and analysing the situation.
"And we're hoping that common sense will prevail," he said.
Mr Qarase made the address to the nation because of the "commotion caused by so many different voices and viewpoints" on the future of the head of the military forces, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
- NZPA
