Pacific and Polynesian Blue to accept Seafood as Checked Baggage

Virgin Blue’s international airline Pacific Blue and sister airline Polynesian Blue are now accepting appropriately packaged seafood, meat and frozen products as checked baggage.

Pacific Blue Airlines has an increasing focus on the South Pacific Islands, with the launch of new services to Tonga to complement existing flights between Australia and New Zealand to and from Fiji, Vanuatu and The Cook Islands. Polynesian Blue launches services to and from Samoa this weekend.

Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey said, “Guests have made it clear they would like to be able to transport frozen meat, seafood and other products internationally and we are coming to the party in terms of making it happen. The policy will benefit tourists wanting to bring some of their own catering to the Pacific Islands as well as locals returning home with special treats to share with family and friends.”

The seafood, meat or frozen products must be sealed in watertight plastic bags then packaged in a robust, undamaged container that does not contain any other items. Absorbent materials such as newspaper must be placed between the waterproof bag containing the products and the container they are packaged in.

There will be a weight restriction on seafood, meat and other frozen products such that each container and its contents must not weigh over 20kgs. It must also be checked in and not taken on board as carry-on baggage.

Live seafood, including crayfish and mud crab is not included in the policy and won’t be accepted as checked baggage.

While Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue now offer this additional service to travellers, it is the responsibility of the passenger to check customs and quarantine laws for the country to which they are travelling.

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