Air Pacific, soon to be rebranded as Fiji Airways, has announced that it successfully took ownership and delivery of its first-ever brand-new wide body aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, last week. The aircraft is the first of three ordered by the airline in October 2011—the other two are scheduled to be delivered in May and November this year, respectively. The transfer of title and delivery ceremony was completed in Toulouse, France on March 14, 2013 with Airbus officials, Air Pacific executives, and Air Pacific's own aircraft delivery team.
The delivery ceremony followed an announcement that the airline's international European banking partners had signed the financing agreement for the first of the three new A330-200 aircraft it is purchasing, with a commitment to finance the two additional aircraft due to be delivered later in the year, and plans by the airline to make early repayment of some initial Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) pre-delivery financing.
"As we noted last year when we unveiled our new planes and new name, the introduction of our new A330 aircraft and re-branding of the airline are the capstone of three years of incredibly hard work by our entire team to transform and revitalise Fiji's national carrier and ensure it will be successful for another 61 years," said Dave Pflieger, Air managing director and chief executive officer, Air Pacific. "With the introduction of these fantastic new Fijian themed A330s, our passengers will finally be able to experience the kind of world-class comfort and state of the art cabins and in-seat entertainment that we and they believe should accompany our already award-winning customer service; service that itself will only get better when we become 'Fiji Airways' in June."
"In addition, and equally important, the introduction of new A330s, the most fuel efficient aircraft in their category, will also allow us to accomplish a long overdue modernisation of our fleet that will significantly reduce costs, increase revenue, and allow us to undertake even more growth in the future," he added.
Adorned with the new 'Fiji Airways' authentic Fijian brand mark and design both inside and out, the new A330s are configured in a two-class arrangement with Pacific Voyager (Economy) and Tabua (Business Class) cabins. "We are delighted that the Airbus A330 was chosen as the ‘canvas’ on which to launch the airline's new brand 'Fiji Airways', said John Leahy , chief operating officer – customers, Airbus, at the delivery ceremony. “The A330 offers the best operating economics and the most sumptuous cabin of any aircraft in its category and will serve Air Pacific, soon to be Fiji Airways, well in their ambitions growth plans."
The aircraft is now completing an approximately 18,000 kilometer journey from Airbus' manufacturing centre in Toulouse, France to Nadi, Fiji via Hong Kong. It is due to be unveiled in Nadi on March 19, 2013 at a special welcome event at the airline's facilities at Nadi International Airport. "We've been preparing for our new Airbus A330 aircraft for almost 18 months now. Our initial cadre of pilots, engineers, and cabin crew are trained and ready to go and all of Fiji is eagerly awaiting our first owned and uniquely designed wide-body aircraft," explained Dave Pflieger.
The airline will re-launch as Fiji Airways in June of this year, and the roll out of the carrier's new product and service offering including new brand, new aircraft interiors and liveries, updated business lounges, new crew uniforms, new website will continue until the end of 2013 when its last Boeing 747 is returned to its overseas owner.
Related Content
