Category Archives: Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways is coming to San Francisco

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Fiji Airways (Nadi), Fiji’s National Airline, has announced plans to commence seasonal twice-weekly nonstop services from Nadi to San Francisco starting in June 2016. The flights, operating in June, July, August, December 2016 and January 2017, will depart from Nadi International Airport to San Francisco International Airport on Thursdays and Sundays.

The flight will depart Nadi on Thursdays and Sundays at 9 pm (2100) (local time), arriving in San Francisco 12:30 pm (1230) (local time, the same day). The San Francisco-Nadi flight will depart at 11pm (2300) (local time) Thursdays and Sundays, arriving in Nadi at 5 am (0500) (local time, +2 days). The new service will be operated on Fiji Airways’ A330 aircraft, the 10-hour flights offer both Economy and Business Class travel options. All Fiji Airways flights are full-service, and include checked baggage, in-flight entertainment, meals and beverages.

Fiji Airways aircraft slide show:

Fiji Airways announces its highest ever operating profit for 2014

Air Pacific Ltd, trading as the Fiji Airways Group (Fiji Airways) (Nadi), has announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Mr. Nalin Patel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Pacifc Ltd., trading as Fiji Airways said the airline and its consolidated group (Fiji Airways Group) made record operating profits. The Group comprises of Fiji Airways, Fiji’s National Airline, its subsidiaries Fiji Link & Pacific Call Comm Ltd, and a 38.75% stake in the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, Nadi. Fiji Airways reported another record breaking year in terms of revenue and passenger numbers.

Fiji Airways reported a profit before income tax of $65.2 million compared to a profit before income tax of $8.3 million for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013.

Air Pacific Ltd (the Group) reported a profit before income tax of $60.8 million compared to a profit before income tax of $14.2 million for nine-month period ended December 31, 2013.
On a net basis, Fiji Airways reported an after tax profit of $55.6m and the Group reported an after tax profit of $52.9m (versus after tax profits of $8.7m and $14.5m respectively for the nine-month period ended 31st December 2013.

These results are more than two times better than the best operating profit achieved in the history of APL back in 2005.

“The airline is already prepared for a busy year ahead, with the addition of a Boeing 737-800 and a new Airbus A330-300 to its fleet, the launch of new routes (Nadi-Wellington) and increased frequencies to key destinations. It is also assessing a new long-haul route in Asia. Our guests can also look forward to further enhancements to our on-board offering, as well as further enhanced customer service at its airports and new Reservations Centre.”

In other news, Fiji Airways is planning to commence a new nonstop route linking Fiji with the Solomon Islands, with Saturday only Nadi – Honiara flights with Boeing 737-700 aircraft from April 4 per Airline Route. The airline currently operates once-a-week flight on the Nadi – Port Vila – Honiara route on Tuesdays.

Fiji Airways aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Fiji Airways Group’s operating profit jumps to $9.3 million for the first half

Fiji Airways Group (Fiji Airways and Fiji Link) (Suva, Fiji) reported its unaudited interim results for the first half of 2014, announcing a massive increase in operating profits compared with the corresponding period last year. The Group, legally known as Air Pacific Limited, comprises of Fiji Airways (Fiji’s National Airline), its subsidiary Fiji Link and a 38.75% stake in the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island. The Group recorded an underlying operating profit of $17.2 million FJD ($9.3 million US) from January 1 to June 30, 2014.

Stefan Pichler, Managing Director and CEO attributed the strong performance to higher load factors, more efficient cost management, streamlined management structures and a highly motivated staff.

Fiji Airways’ load factor increased by 10 percent in the first six months.

Fiji Airways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Fiji Airways and Etihad Airways move closer with an interline agreement

Fiji Airways (2nd) (Nadi) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), the national airlines of Fiji and the United Arab Emirates, respectively, announced a new and far reaching interline agreement between the two carriers.

This agreement will allow reciprocal sales from and to 12 cities in Europe, 17 cities in the Middle East, five cities in Africa, five cities in North America, 29 cities in Asia and three cities in Australia to and from Fiji. The agreement is effective immediately and is the starting point of further negotiations between the two airlines.

Etihad Airways joins Fiji Airways’ list of codeshare or interline partners, which includes American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, QANTAS Airways and Air New Zealand.

On the financial side, Air Pacific Group reported an operating profit before income tax of $14.2 million for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013, compared to an operating profit before income tax of $22.4 million for the preceding twelve month period ended March 31, 2013.

On a net basis, the Group reported an after tax profit of $14.5 million for the nine months period compared to $17.8 million from the preceding 12-month period. The nine months performance was driven by an increase in passenger numbers by 2.5 % with an additional revenue of 1.0%, hence a slight yield decrease of -1.5 % due to the relentless competitive environment, especially from/to the U.S. and Australia.

All amounts are in Fijian dollars.

Copyright Photo: Colin Hunter/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 DQ-FJT (msn 1394) of Fiji Airways arrives in Auckland.

Fiji Airways:

Etihad Airways:

Fiji Airways announces its Five Year Master Plan

Fiji Airways (2nd) (Nadi, Fiji) has announced details from its five-year strategic plan approved by the airline’s board in mid-December 2013.

Developed through input from customers, employers, and stakeholders, the plan includes three focus areas: (1) growing the number of aircrafts and available seats, (2) increasing operating profits and passenger numbers, and (3) expanding the airline’s route network through key airline partnerships.

(1) The airline will increase its fleet size by 25% with new Airbus A330-200, Boeing 737-800s and ATR 72-600s aircraft. The additional aircraft will support plans to increase the number of available seats and passengers across all markets by 35% and 39%, respectively.

(2) The airline will activate an aggressive financial performance strategy to increase operating profits above $100m (FJD), a goal calculated using current fuel prices and exchange rates.

Stefan Pichler, Fiji Airways’ Managing Director and CEO, states “Our aim is to be a world-class airline matched by an ambitious but solid financial plan that expands on current successes and takes our airline to a new level.”

In addition to increasing financial stability, building and maintaining a strong and loyal workforce also remain imperative. “We plan to increase total staff numbers by 28.5%. Part of our vision for 2017 is to be the Fijians’ employer of choice,” says Pichler.

(3) In terms of network expansion, Fiji Airways will focus on the deliberate selection of new routes and airline partnerships through detailed scheduling studies and interlining and code-sharing opportunities. Recent amendments resulting from the plan include new direct Sydney-Suva and Apia-Suva services and changes to some Auckland-Nadi departure times.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 DQ-FJT (msn 1394) prepares to touch down in Los Angeles.

Fiji Airways:

Fiji Airways announces two new routes from Suva

Fiji Airways (2nd) (Nadi, Fiji) has announced the introduction of two new nonstop international services from the Fijian capital of Suva.

From May 2014, Fiji Airways will offer twice–weekly nonstop flights between Suva and Sydney, operated by its Boeing 737-700 aircraft, and between Suva and Apia, operated by Pacific Sun’s soon-to-arrive ATR 72 aircraft.

The direct services between Suva and Sydney will operate on Mondays and Friday, with a convenient midday departure from Suva, and an afternoon departure from Sydney.

The new introduction means Fiji Airways will offer three flights from Sydney to Fiji on Mondays and Fridays, with the two current flights to Nadi and the new direct Suva flight from May 2014.

The new schedule means a change to the Suva-Auckland services, allowing for a late evening Suva-Auckland service on Mondays and Fridays, and a morning Auckland-Nadi service on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The new schedule will improve connectivity with ferries and flights to the outer islands for passengers arriving from Auckland.

“The 8 am departures from Auckland to Nadi two times a week mean New Zealanders will now be able to easily travel to the North and the outer islands, allowing them to enjoy the amazing beauty of these regions on the day they arrive,” says Mr Pichler.

The Suva-Apia services will operate late nights on Mondays and Fridays, while the return Apia-Suva flights will operate in the mornings of Tuesday and Saturday. This will now allow Apia passengers to connect on a Fiji Airways service to Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane or Nuku’alofa (Tonga) on the same day.

Pichler explained the strategy behind the expansion in Suva: “As Nadi is our traditional leisure hub, Suva will more and more grow into our business hub.” It is a dual hub strategy where there is one winner – our customers.

Copyright Photo: John Adlard/AirlinersGallery.com. Under a rainbow, Boeing 737-7X2 DQ-FJF (msn 28878) is pictured in action at Sydney.

Fiji Airways:

Route Map:

Pacific Sun to become Fiji Link in 2014

Fiji Airways (2nd) (formerly Air Pacific) (Nadi, Fiji) has announced that its subsidiary airline, Pacific Sun, will be rebranded as Fiji Link in 2014, and unveiled the carrier’s new livery.

FijiLink

Pacific Sun, Fiji’s main domestic and regional airline, is wholly owned by Fiji Airways, and the rebranding of the airline is the next step in the on-going restructure of the domestic airline group.

The new airline brand will have a distinct, yet part-of-the-family, look with its parent Fiji Airways. The Fiji Airways earthy color palette has been retained on the soon-to-be-adopted livery of Fiji Link aircraft. The Fiji Link wordmark reflects its connection with Fiji Airways as does the use of the Teteva and the Makare motifs on the tail, which are a prominent part of the Fiji Airways brand.

FijiLink-Liverage
An internal brand development process resulted in four design and naming options which were then to be voted on by the public and the staff of Pacific Sun and Fiji Airways.

The new brand will be adopted in mid-2014 after the arrival of Pacific Sun’s new ATR 72 aircraft. Further details on the rebrand will be announced in the coming months.

Image: Fiji Airways.

Fiji Airways:

Fiji Airways Boeing 737-700 makes an emergency landing at Auckland

Fiji Airways (formerly Air Pacific) (Nadi) pictured Boeing 737-7X2 DQ-FJF (msn 28878) was forced to make an emergency landing at Auckland yesterday (August 5) after a reported engine fire. Flight FJ 430 from Auckland to Fiji with 122 passengers and six crew members was forced to return to AKL. The flight landed safely.

Read the full report from The Sydney Morning Herald: CLICK HERE

However Fiji Airways issued this statement stating there was no fire on board:

All passengers on board Fiji Airways flight FJ 430 have been accommodated following the safe landing at Auckland Airport this morning (August 5).

On site engineers have confirmed that there was no fire on board the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, and are carrying out further inspections on the engine.

Passengers disrupted as a result have been booked on other flights.

Safety is of paramount importance for Fiji Airways. The airline would like to thank its pilots and cabin crew for their handling of the situation, emergency teams at Auckland Airport for their assistance, and our passengers for their patience and understanding.

Copyright Photo: John Adlard/AirlinersGallery.com. Maybe the pictured DQ-FJF was “blessed” by the beautiful rainbow at Sydney on July 30.

Fiji Airways:

Los Angeles International Airport welcomes Fiji Airways

Los Angeles International Airport has welcomed the first arrival of a Fiji Airways (2nd) (Nidi, Fiji) branded Airbus A330-200. Previously the airport was served with Air Pacific Boeing 747-400s.

The airport issued this statement:

To honor its cultural heritage, Fiji Airways has announced a new refreshed brand at a celebratory launch event at Los Angeles International Airport. American travelers will now see direct flights from Los Angeles to Fiji almost double by the end of the year, and they will travel in new, state-of-the-art A330s.

The event retired its “Air Pacific” brand to align more closely with what makes Fiji unique, its people. With increased frequency of flights and new aircrafts, it will be even easier for Americans to get to the 333 islands of Fiji, home to happiness and rich culture.

The airline has retired its previously known classes Pacific Voyager (economy) and Tabua Class (business) and will introduce the Fiji Airways’ Economy and Fiji Airways’ Business Class as part of its enhanced on-board offering.

On board, Fiji Airways has introduced new (A330) and refreshed (B737) interiors. Revitalized service, including new meal options, new crockery and linens, have been introduced to offer an improved long-haul dining experience.

Additional Enhanced Features Include:

Business class guests will enjoy optimized comfort in seats that provide eight degree in-flight sleep bed and 76 inches of bed length at 60 inches of pitch, along with Panasonic’s 15.4-inch LCD displays, a handset that includes a credit card reader and keyboard, as well as noise cancelling audio jack and a USB interface.
A new fine dining experience and a new wine cellar with world-class wine options will be available to business class guests. Special Fiji Airways designed amenity kits for overnight flights and noise cancelling IFE headsets are part of the full suite of on-board products.
State-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems, in-seat power, mood lighting and the introduction of sleeper and breakfast service—Yadra Vinaka, which means “Good Morning” in the Fijian language—complete the new Fiji Airways experience.
On the new A330s the Fiji Airways Kids Club offers complimentary entertainment for children with movies, games and e-books.

Copyright Photo: Pete Morejon. Newly-delivered Airbus A330-243 DQ-FJT (msn 1394) had the honor of operating the first flight to LAX. It is pictured parked at LAX waiting for the departure back to Fiji.

Fiji Airways:

Air Pacific becomes Fiji Airways today

Air Pacific (2nd) (Nadi, Fiji) today (June 27) as planned, became Fiji Airways (2nd), completing its rebranding.

On June 5 the flag carrier issued this statement:

Air Pacific announced it will change its name and start trading as Fiji Airways on Thursday June 27.

Returning to its 1958 name, the switch-over marks another important milestone in the airline’s turnaround. Customers have already been able to experience a “sneak peak” of our new A330 aircraft with their new state of the art features. June 27 represents the official launch of the Fiji Airways brand with a number of further new brand elements rolled out across Fiji and the international marketplace on this date.

“The official changeover date marks the official end of Air Pacific and the beginning of Fiji Airways. It is exciting that after a 15-month journey, we can now be known as ‘Fiji Airways’ across the globe. The changeover represents an exciting future for the airline that is rooted in our more than 60-year history and service to the people of Fiji”, said Aubrey Swift, the airline’s Acting CEO.

“At the heart of our airline’s new name and brand is the Fiji Airways’ brandmark, a striking new Masi design, created by celebrated local Fijian Masi artist, Makereta Matemosi. The brandmark symbolises the airline’s new identity and epitomises all that Fiji Airways represents. It is authentic, distinctive, and true to the airline’s Fijian roots. Fiji Airways will continue to be the country’s flying ambassador to the world, bringing the renowned Fijian hospitality to people across the globe.”

The changeover underscores the success of the airline’s turnaround plan, which started in 2010 and has culminated in reversing record losses and significantly growing passengers and revenue without increasing the size of the carrier’s fleet.

Schedule, product and service enhancements will be rolled out through the rest of 2013, along with the delivery of the third Fiji Airways A330 (and the retirement of the 747s). Thus, by the end of the year, the turnaround and brand transition will be complete.

Top Copyright Photo: John Adlard/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8X2 WL DQ-FJG (msn 29968) is seen at Sydney in the new look.

Fiji Airways:

Air Pacific:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Graham Weatherby. Boeing 737-7X2 DQ-FJF (msn 28878), repainted in the new livery of Fiji Airways, departs from a wintry Christchurch, New Zealand.