Arrival of new aircraft is always an occasion to rejoice for every airline and in the case of Air Pacific, it was a double excitement since the Company will be rebranded as ‘Fiji Airways’ in June, symbolising the South Pacific nation’s pride and increasing position as an aviation hub.
For a small group of people assembled at a special function to welcome the new Airbus A330-220 at the Auckland International Airport on April 2, it was also an occasion to experience Fijian culture and hospitality, often obscured by negative media reports that spring from political jaundice.
The first aircraft, called, ‘Taveuni,’ named after one of Fiji’s 333 islands will commence operation in the Nadi-Auckland-Nadi sectors from June 2013 and the arrival of two more A330 aircraft will enable the airline to operate on other routes.
Growth and expansion
Air Pacific Chairman Nalin Patel, who was on the maiden flight of the new aircraft, said that the A330-220 fleet would help the airline to retire is ageing fleet (B747-400s and B767s) and function with greater efficiency and expand its network.
“The re-launch of Fiji Airways as our brand is an exciting development in the 40-year history of the airline. The new aircraft, purchased with loans granted against Fijian Government guarantee, are a part of our plans to serve our customers better and promote Fiji as a tourist and business destination,” he said.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Dave Pflieger described New Zealand as “an essential part of the airline’s global network.”
He said Air Pacific was excited to replace its Boeing 747 aircraft with A330-220 fleet (with 272 seats, including 24 in Business and 249 in Economy) equipped with the state-of-the-art features including inflight entertainment.
“Air Pacific punches well above its weight for a relatively small airline. It is one of only seven airlines to operate multiple international routes from New Zealand, and is the only airline that offers a daily business class service from New Zealand to Fiji and on to Los Angeles and Hong Kong,” he said.
Winning combination
Mr Pflieger claimed that the new aircraft would allow all passengers to relax and start their vacation before they step into beautiful Fiji.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver award-winning world-class service to our guests from New Zealand, Australia, US and beyond, and we think that we will have a truly winning combination when we combine our superb people with fantastic new wide-body aircraft,” he said.
Commercial Manager (New Zealand) Shannon Currie said that with its new livery and signage of ‘Fiji Airways,’ the airline would be returning to its 1951 roots.
“The new branding as well as new service, new product, and new crew uniforms are authentic, distinctive and true to our friendly Fijian culture and heritage,” he said.
“As a full service airline that provides clients with complimentary beverages, snack meal, onboard entertainment and one piece of checked in luggage of up to 23kgs, our exceptional service is also evident in our daily Business Class product when guests fly from New Zealand to Fiji.”
Mr Pflieger said that Fiji Airways will operate daily connections from 17 New Zealand cities to feed into international flights from Auckland to Nadi.
“We will operate 13 flights weekly from New Zealand in the Christchurch-Nandi, Auckland-Suva and Auckland-Nandi sectors,” he said.
Impressive history
Australian navigator and aviation pioneer established ‘Katafaga Estates Limited’ in 1947, and four years later, his Fiji-based airline, ‘Fiji Airways,’ commenced operations with a twin-engine Dragon Rapide biplane.
Soon after Fiji obtained independence from the British in 1971, the airline changed its name to ‘Air Pacific,’ to add to its regional flavour with investments from Tonga, Nauru, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, alongside Qantas and Air New Zealand.
Air Pacific and its subsidiary ‘Pacific Sun,’ fly to 15 cities in ten countries including Australia, New Zealand, US, Hong Kong, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands.
Air Pacific accounts for about 65% of all visitors flying to Fiji, and the two companies together have a complement of more than 900 employees, with combined revenue of over F$675 million. They directly contribute a significant portion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Photo :
Dave Pflieger and Shannon Currie seated in Business Class of the new A330-220 in Auckland
