Talks are underway between civil aviation officials of Fiji and the United Arab Emirates in a bid to establish an air services agreement.
The UAE Foreign Minister was in Fiji last week to discuss air links with aviation officials including director Akuila Waradi.
The Look North policy was at the centre of the aviation expansion strategy, Mr Waradi told the Fiji Times.
Locals working in the United Arab Emirates and Fiji's rugby status have been identified as beneficiaries of plans to establish the air services agreement with the Emirates.
Mr Waradi said the expansion strategy was aimed at opening up opportunities for trade and tourism for Fiji with lucrative markets in developed economies to the north.
He said any air services pact would benefit Fiji nationals working in the UAE and create exposure for Fiji rugby.
"Expatriate Fijians working and residing in the UAE, in particular in Dubai, will also greatly benefit from a direct Fiji/UAE (Dubai) air service," Mr Waradi told the Fiji Times.
"The UAE has a population of 2.6 million with Dubai city alone comprising a population of 1.241 million."
Fiji, he said, had a big expatriate population serving in international peacekeeping duties and peacemaking roles in Europe and the Middle East, and the proposed air service by the UAE would greatly facilitate movements.
Mr Waradi said successful talks would also mean further exposure for Fiji as a leading rugby sevens nation.
The UAE had approached Fiji in May last year seeking the establishment of an air services agreement.
"As in any bilateral talks involving air services, the involvement of our national airline Air Pacific, the Office of the Solicitor General and other stakeholders is crucial," said Mr Waradi.
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