The interim prime minister has approved the appointment of a cabinet task force to oversee a comprehensive review of the operations of national airline, Air Pacific.

This follows government's concern about the airline's operations stemming from increasing complaints from the tourism sector, Air Pacific employees and the travelling public regarding deteriorating standards and performance of the national airline.

The cabinet taskforce review will specifically look into staff grievances relating to the airline's recruitment, training, promotions and retention policies, deteriorating services of the airline's in-flight service and chronic delays in flight operations caused by mechanical problems to its aging fleet of aircraft.

The interim government is also concerned at Air Pacific's declining profit in recent years. It has noted that the national airline was in a stage of stagnation with no major new destination added to its network in a decade.

The interim government feels that a major overhaul in the policies and operation of Air Pacific is vital if it has to successfully address challenges currently facing the global aviation industry.

The cabinet team comprises of Civil Aviation Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, Public Enterprise Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the Tourism Minister Tom Ricketts.

Questions in regards to the action have been sent to the CEO of Air Pacific John Campbell and he is expected to comment later.