Increased maintenance costs and the devaluation of the Fiji dollar has forced local airline Pacific Sun to increase its fare by $10 across the board immediately.

General Manager Manoa Kamikamica said fuel costs and items such as spares, heavy maintenance and overseas training costs are all foreign currency based and Pacific Sun does not have any foreign currency revenue to offset these rising costs.

Kamikamica said in the last six months, Pacific Sun has invested about $4.26 million in engine overhauls for their aircraft and stressed that domestic aviation has not had a price adjustment for several years and escalating costs have left them with little alternative.

Kamikamica said while they are committed to affordable airfares with great value, Pacific Sun is first and foremost a business and needs to cover costs to survive.

However, Pacific Sun said that bookings at the old fare will be honored provided these are paid and ticketed within seven days.