A day after the government said it did not purchase rejected A350 aircraft, Opposition member Viliame Gavoka alleged it was not true.

Gavoka read out a statement claiming it’s from the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, stating that Singapore Airlines rejected the A350 planes – which were then purchased by Fiji Airways.

“I have a statement from the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise capital, the lessor to this Fiji Airways A350 and they say here that Singapore Airlines have cancelled their order. That’s why Fiji Airways went in to acquire it. We were told yesterday there was no Singapore element in the whole arrangement but its there in their statement. If he (Civil Aviation Minister) can just correct that and make sure when we’re told what is genuine in this house.”

While debating on the Airports Fiji Limited 2016 Report in parliament, Civil Aviation Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum rejected Gavoka’s claims

Sayed-Khaiyum says Fiji made the decision to buy the planes as they were available.

“ There were two A350’s available that actually one airline did not want to take up. We made the decision to buy the A350 – they said these two slots are now available, because the time length to wait after you order it takes years. So we’re lucky to get that aircraft. Singapore Airlines did not reject A350. This is what the statement implies. If you simply Google Singapore Airlines A350 – you’ll actually see how much Singapore is pushing A350. In fact they got and I stand to be corrected – sixty A350’s on order.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says the new aircraft will enable the national carrier to reach new destinations.

“The statement that was made is incorrect so how can we rely on a person who has made this kind of obscurantism and to comment on airlines and aircraft and what have you.”

 Sayed-Khaiyum adds the decision to buy the A350s wasn’t made lightly because the market is highly competitive, and manufacturers want to do business with Fiji Airways.

 The first A350 arrives in November.