Fiji Airways, Fijiโs national carrier has announced it will fly direct from Nadi to Vancouver in Canada starting on November 25, 2022. The destination will be the 20th direct international service provided by Fiji Airwaysโ world class fleet.
Fiji Airways will fly direct to and from Vancouver twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.
Fiji Airways today (July 4) welcomed South Australians back on onboard, with the first direct flight in three years departing Adelaide at 12.35 pm and touching down in Fijian Paradise at 8.15pm local time.
Todayโs flight marks the beginning of Fiji Airways twice weekly flights from Adelaide to Nadi, offering Australians a fourth route for their tropical getaway. Fijiโs national airline also operates twice daily flights from Sydney and daily flights from Melbourne and Brisbane.
Apart from Adelaide, the airline also today welcoming back our Pacific neighbors, Vanuatu with the first flight leaving Nadi at 11.25 am and returning at 5.15 pm.
Fiji Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Fiji Airways has announced plans to resume twice weekly direct services to Adelaide commencing on Monday, July 4, 2022 after three years.
This marks the fourth Australian leg for the airline after Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Currently, Fiji Airways operates two flights daily to Sydney and one flight daily to Melbourne and Brisbane.
Flight Details
|
Flight Number |
Origin |
Destination |
Departure Time (local) |
Arrival Time (local) |
Day of Week Operation |
Aircraft Type |
|
FJ961 |
Nadi |
Adelaide |
7:15AM |
11:20AM |
Monday, Thursday |
Boeing 737-MAX 8 |
|
FJ960 |
Adelaide |
Nadi |
12:35PM |
8:15PM |
Monday, Thursdays |
Boeing 737-MAX 8 |
Fiji Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Fiji Airways welcomed fully vaccinated tourists onboard for the first time in 20 months, with the first American tourists from Los Angles waking up in Fijian Paradise at aroundย 5.45am on December 2, 2021 (Fijiย time), to a big bula welcome and celebration from the local community.
FIji Airways operates daily flights fromย Los Angelesย on the brand new A350-900 aircraft, five flights a week fromย San Francisco on the A330 aircraft and two flights a week fromย Honolulu on the Boeing 737 MAX.
Fiji Airways has utilized this time to launch a suite of new products and benefits to enhance the customer experience for its guests from 1stย December, includingย increased baggage allowanceย from 23kg to 30kg for economy class passengers on all international flights.
For selected long-haul and medium-haul flights, economy class passengers will be able to purchaseย theย My Islandย sleeper productย to stretch out and relax over an entire row. The newย My Islandย option includes extra amenities made up ofย a business class size pillow, mattress topper, additional blanket and an extension seat belt to help foster the best possible sleep in economy class.
Travelers with Fiji Airways can also enjoyย free access to digital reading platform PressReader,ย with more than 7,000 international newspapers and magazines available to download directly on their own device. Fiji Airways is the first airline in theย Asia Pacific region to offer this service and guests are able to read and download their favorite titles 96 hours prior to departure, until 24 hours after the flight.
Onboard dining has also been given a re-haulย with the appointment of renowned Fijian-New Zealand Chefย Richard Crossย to oversee all catering functions across the airline, including its award-winning Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi International Airport. Along with it, Fiji Airways has introduced aย specially selected suite of highly-rated wines, including America’s number one luxury cabernet sauvignon varietal fromย Justin Wines. The new onboard wine range comes from renowned wine regions ofย Australia,ย New Zealand,ย Franceย and America.
Fiji Airways has also focused on new ways to entertain its younger passengers onboard with the launch ofย Our Ocean, Our Life.ย The complimentary in-flight activity pack and book series, for passengers aged 2-12 years old, is dedicated to educating the future generation on the importance of preserving and protectingย Fiji’sย fragile marine environment, in a fun and engaging way.
For a discounted rate when booking holidays directly with the carrier, families can experience Fiji Airways’ world-class Premier Loungeย in Nadi with a buffet/a la carte dining, cafe, bar, wifi, shower facilities and comfortable seating.
Fiji’sย national carrier has been preparing its fully vaccinated crew for the resumption of flights at the new state-of-the-art Fiji Airways Aviation Academy, the first of its kind in the South Pacific islands.
90% of the adult population inย Fiji are fully vaccinated. Travelers enteringย Fijiย must be fully vaccinated and produce evidence of a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Entry conditions intoย Fijiย include a pre-booked itinerary withย Care Fiji Commitmentย (CFC) approved accommodation and transfers for the first three nights, proof of travel insurance that will coverย COVID-19 related medical expenses, and a rapid Antigen Test 48 hours after arrival inย Fijiย at the resort.
Fiji Airways has introduced a new safety video:
Fiji Airways is returning to service on December 1. To celebrate the return, the airline has launched an eco-focused in-flight safety video, teasing international travelers with footage of tropical islands and breathtaking natural wonders, all while championing the local businesses and communities helping to preserve it.
Shotย across seven locations, the five-minute safety briefing is delivered amongst some of the many initiatives being undertaken to preserveย Fiji’sย beautiful yet fragile home. These include Mangrove Rehabilitation projects, solar powered resorts, turtle sanctuaries and coral nurseries, among others.
With more than 84% of the adult population double vaccinated, and a mandate for all adult employees to be fully vaxxed by 1st November,ย Fijiย is on track to be one the most COVID-safe travel destinations on the planet. And with flights fromย the United Statesย resuming from 30th November Fiji Airways’ Managing Director & CEOย Andre Viljoenย hopes the latest production will no doubt get travellers dreaming of a White Sand Christmas.
“The unveiling of this production is more than just another safety video. It’s very symbolic of the journey we have been on for the past 18 months and our return to the skies in an eco-sustainable manner. The production started before COVID-19 struck, so to be able to finally play it onboard our aircraft signals that we are very close to welcoming tourists back toย Fiji,” said Viljoen.
The video which opens up onย Fiji’sย iconic Malamala Beach Club includes a number of pilots and cabin crew in addition to professional actors. From under-water shots to high flying drone action, the production takes viewers on a journey of discovery intoย Fiji’sย vast and beautiful environment. At each location a local resort, business or initiative is introduced by the cabin crew member and championed for its eco-sustainability efforts. It also features footage onboard Fiji Airways’ luxurious A350 aircraft – it’s most eco-sustainable aircraft to date.
Current Fiji Airways staff feature heavily in the production, including First Officer Pilots Petrina Simpson andย Vinay Makanjiย , as well as Lounge staff memberย Liku Gucake. The voiceover used throughout is also that of Reservations Senior Managerย Anna Morrisย – adding to its authenticity and playing homage toย Fiji’sย family values.
It also features cameo appearances fromย Fiji’sย world renowned Fijiana womens and Fijian Mens rugby sevens teams, who are fresh from recent success inย Tokyo. Fijiana players Tokasa Seniyasai, Reijeli Uluinayau and Verenaisi Bari feature alongside their male counterparts Ratu Mele Derenalagi, Alasio Naduva, and Livai Ikanikoda. Plus, past and present players from the popular Crusaders Super Rugby team,ย Manasa Mataele,ย Tom Christieย andย Inga Finau.
The production team spent months researching some of the incredible environmental initiatives taking place acrossย Fiji’sย 300+ islands. While some locations narrowly missed the cut, the film directed byย Edward Copestickย was structured in such a way to allow new initiatives to feature in future iterations of the production.
“As an airline, eco-sustainability is a journey we are committed to taking.ย Fuel is a major contributor to an airline’s carbon emissions, and we use state-of-the-art software systems like SkyBreathe to monitor, track and optimize our use of fuel. Over the years, aircraft technology has advanced, airframes have become lighter and pilots more aware of economical fuel burn. All this contributes to lower fuel usage by modern aircraft. Fiji Airways has two A350 XWB aircraft and five Boeing 737 MAX in its fleet, which are among the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world. The reduction in fuel usage and carbon dioxide emission is a focus for our airline, and aligned with the leadership role that Fijiย plays in bringing the world’s attention to the adverse impact of climate change on nations like ours. ”
The new safety video will screen onboard all Fiji Airways international flights from December 1, 2021.
Location Partners & Environmental Initiatives
Mangrove Plantation at Shangri-La Fijian Resort & Spa
Solar Powered Resort at Six Senses Fiji
Eco-Trax Fiji sustainable eco-activities
Turtle Sanctuary at Nakelo Treasure Island Resort Fiji
Coral Nurseries at Plantation Island Resort Fiji
Credits
Agency: CampaignLab
Director:ย Edward Copestick
DOP:ย Spencer Frost
Assistant Director:ย Maxime Lebigre
Editor/CGI: Jeremie Siguan
Lighting:ย Moses Fotofili
H&M:ย Leanne Goff, Totoka
Voiceover:ย Anna Morris, Senior Manager Reservations and Service Culture, Fiji Airways
Lead talent: Fiji Airways A330 First Officerย Petrina Simpsonย and B737 First Officerย Vinay Makanjiย and Fiji Airways Premier Lounge Concierge Liku Gucake and external talentย Natasha McGoon
Fiji Airways Team:ย Shane Hussein,ย Bruce Rounds,ย Angeline Lal, Hem Chand, Sandeepak Ratnam
Video:
Fiji Airways,ย Fiji’s national airline, has announced that flights to the South Pacific paradise will officially resume for fully vaccinated international travelers from December 1, 2021, with the first commercial flight fromย the United Statesย toย Fijiย sinceย March 2020ย scheduled to departย Los Angelesย andย San Franciscoย onย November 30th, arriving inย Fiji (Nadi) December 2.
From November 30, Fiji Airways will launch daily flights from Los Angelesย toย Fiji (Nadi) utilizing its brand new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, five flights a week from San Franciscoย on its A330 aircraft, and two flights a week fromย Honolulu utilizing it Boeing 737 MAX (top).
The Fijian Prime Ministerย Frank Bainimaramaย announced the travel framework which would allowย Fiji to reopen its borders to tourists from December 1 after more than 20 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All arriving travelers must be fully vaccinated, present evidence of a 72-hour negative RT-PCR test prior to boarding, and complete an additional rapid test at their pre-booked resort or hotel upon arrival before commencing their holiday quarantine free.
Fiji Airways will adjust its planned schedules accordingly if certain states or destinations remain closed for international travel on December 1, 2021.
Top Copyright Photo: Fiji Airways (2nd) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 DQ-FAB (msn 64307) BFI (Steve Bailey). Image: 944495.
Fiji Airways aircraft slide show:
Fiji Airways is returning its two leased Airbus A330-200 aircraft, Island of Beqa (DQ-FJO) and Island of Vatulele (DQ-FJP), a few months ahead of its end of lease. The two aircraft joined Fiji Airways fleet in May and July 2018 as part of a short-term lease from the lessor.
Mr. Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO said: โThe two aircraft were added to the fleet in 2018 to boost the capacity in the short-term, allowing for increase in frequency and launch of new routes like Tokyo (Narita). The aircraft were invaluable to helping Fiji Airways recover schedules following disruptions caused by the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.โ
The two returning A330-200s have been in the Fiji Airwaysโ parking program since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic-driven grounding of the wider fleet.
โSince the beginning of the pandemic, we worked hard with the lessors of these aircraft to allow for an early return by a few months. This was only possible because these two A330s were short-term and nearing end of lease. Still, weโll take every little win in our efforts to reduce fixed costs as we tide through this pandemic.โ
Fiji Airways jet fleet now consists of two Airbus A350-900, three Airbus A330-200, one Airbus A330-300, five Boeing 737 MAX, and two Boeing 737NG aircraft.
New Zealandโs Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved the recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX. The recertification will help Fiji Airways which wants to resume flights to New Zealand using the MAX.
Fiji Airways earlier this month issued this statement concerning the Boeing 737 MAX:
The deal for the five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was announced on November 23,ย 2016 by Fiji Airways, Boeing and GECAS (the lessor). The acquisition process was explained in detail at the time, together with details about the groundbreaking acquisition deal; that it was a 12-year Sale and Leaseback Agreement with GECAS, for aircraft to be specifically built for Fiji Airways. The lessor is effectively renting the aircraft to Fiji Airways.
The first two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft arrived in December 2018 and January 2019. The remainder (three) were all due to be delivered by mid-2019.
The Boeing 737 MAX fleet was grounded globally in March 2019, following the tragic incidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia. As such, all deliveries of the MAX aircraft were deferred. Production, however, continued. Almost eighteen months was spent by Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resolve the issues which led to the fleetโs grounding. The summary of all the changes required by the FAA isย available here.
In late 2020, the grounding was lifted, first by the FAA for the United States, then by other regulators around the world.
The Civil Aviation Authorities of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji followed with their lifting of the MAX suspensions in late March, after extensive technical safety assessments of this aircraft.
On April 1, 2021, Fiji Airways announced accepting the return to serviceย requirements for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft stipulated by CAAF, paving the way for these aircraft to arrive in Fiji.
Fiji Airways staff, including engineers, pilots and other experts, along with Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) have been in Seattle Washington, Boeingโs Aircraft Delivery Centre, since the beginning of April for the handover and acceptance process for the aircraft which arrived last week. In other words, they left well before this current outbreak and the process was already underway when the current unfortunate outbreak occurred.
I would like to reiterate that Fiji Airways is contractually obligated to take these aircraft. I have previously explained in statements and press conferences,ย with the last one on August 22, 2020 that aircraft contractual obligations are absolute. Penalties for breaking these contracts are much more severe than accepting and utilizing the aircraft to earn revenue. Most airlines around the world are doing the same.
What Fiji Airways has been able to do, as also explained on August 27, 2020, is re-negotiate and drive down monthly recurring fixed costs by approximately 50%.
The MAX aircraft are the core of Fiji Airways fleet. Since 2018, Fiji Airways has been disposing of its 20-year old Boeing 737 aircraft to be replaced by the MAX aircraft.
As soon as tourism and travel returns, these aircraft will be integral for our economic recovery. Fiji Airways is ready in every way for borders to re-open as soon as it is safe, and lead Fijiโs economic recovery.
Top Copyright Photo: Fiji Airways (2nd) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 DQ-FAH (msn 64311) BFI (Nick Dean). Image: 953479.
Fiji Airways aircraft slide show:
Fiji Airways announced on social media the retirement and end of lease of its only Boeing 737-700 (DQ-FJF) on September 18, 2020:
The aircraft, named “Island of Koro”, was ferried to Teesside Airport.
Fiji Airways has made this announcement:
Fiji Airways, Fijiโs National Airline, has announced that it will suspend all international flights until the end of May, with the exception of twice-weekly services between Singapore and Nadi.
The move follows the unprecedented nature and scale of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is causing travel demands to plummet due to health concerns and state restrictions.
The almost complete shutdown of all international flights is necessary to respect the various border control restrictions now in place, including from its Nadi hub.
Fiji Airways will operate a daily Nadi-Sydney service until Sunday, March 22, and suspend the service after that. Nadi-Los Angeles return services will operate daily until Sunday, March 22, and will be suspended after the last Los Angeles-Nadi flight returns to Fiji on March 24.
Fiji Airways will operate the last return Auckland-Nadi service on Sunday, March 22. The final South Pacific return services between Nadi or Suva and Nukuโalofa, Honiara and Funafuti will operate on Saturday, March 21.ย The final Nadi โ Honolulu flight will operate on Sunday, March 22 with the return on Monday.
Return services between Nadi and Brisbane, Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Narita), Apia, Tarawa, Christmas Island (Kiritimati), Vavaโu, San Francisco are suspended immediately.
Return services between Suva and Sydney, Auckland and Port Vila, along with services between Apia-Honolulu and Christmas Island (Kiritimati)-Honolulu are also suspended with immediate effect.
The suspensions are in place until the end of May, and may be extended further if travel restrictions remain in place. Working with foreign embassies and Governments, Fiji Airways will mount one-off recovery flights on an ad-hoc basis during the suspension period as necessary to allow citizens/residents to return home or to their point of origin. Recovery services to/from Tokyo (Narita) and Hong Kong are planned for March 27 and March 29 respectively.
The affected flights are being cancelled now. Fiji Linkโs domestic services will continue as scheduled for now, and may be reduced depending on demand.
Apart from the above Narita and Hong Kong recovery services, the airline will be running some supplementary recovery flights to Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles for any remaining passengers wanting to get back to their countries, as well as bring back home any Fijian nationals still in those cities.
These supplementary flight schedules are:
| From/To | Flight number | Departure Date | Departure Time |
| Nadi-Sydney | FJ1917 | Saturday 21st March | 10am |
| FJ1917 | Sunday 22nd March | 10am | |
| Sydney-Nadi | FJ1916 | Saturday 21st March | 2:50pm |
| FJ1916 | Sunday 22nd March | 2:50pm | |
| Nadi-Auckland | FJ1415 | Sunday 22nd March | 9:30am |
| Auckland-Nadi | FJ1414 | Sunday 22nd March | 2:40pm |
| Nadi-Los Angeles | FJ1813 | Monday 23rd March | 7:00am |
| Los Angeles-Nadi | FJ1812 | Monday 23rd March | 2:25pm |
Fiji Airways aircraft photo gallery:
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