Tag Archives: DQ-FJT

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:

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: