Fiji's National Airline Unveils New Look, State-of-the-Art Features of Its New Aircraft

Air Pacific, Fiji’s national airline, last night hosted a world premiere event in Suva to introduce the new livery and features of its brand-new Airbus A330s scheduled to take to the skies in 2013.

“The unveiling of the new look and features of our soon-to-arrive A330s is the latest milestone in a series of initiatives that are a part of the Air Pacific’s restructuring and rebranding.  We couldn’t think of a better way to honour Fiji’s national day holiday than to share a first glimpse of the exciting things in store for Fiji and our passengers,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.

The new fleet represents many firsts for the airline. The aircraft are the first brand-new, wide-bodied aircraft the company has ever purchased.  The state-of-the-art Airbus A330s are the first flown with the first-ever highly fuel-efficient, low-CO2 emission Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines.  And flying under a new name and with a new brandmark, the new A330s represent the first aircraft designed exclusively for Fiji and Fiji’s national airline.

“Air Pacific is on a transformational journey to become a best-in-class airline, and we are pleased to have best-in-class partners—Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Singapore Airlines, Panasonic and Zodiac Aerospace/Weber—to join us. We have made significant progress with our turnaround plan during the last 30 months, and have taken great strides to ensure everyone who steps aboard Fiji Airways in 2013 will be able to start their holiday when they step aboard. Service and comfort are top priorities, and these state-of-the-art aircraft promise the best of both worlds,” stated Mr. Pflieger.

The island nation’s new aircraft are equipped with cloud-comfortable economy and business class seats designed by Zodiac Aerospace/Weber.  Each seat will have 110v in-seat power for a full range of electronic devices, including laptops, games, iPhones and iPads.   In addition, the new aircraft will be equipped with one of the most advanced in-flight entertainment systems flying today, designed and installed by Panasonic.

“We knew the exterior design needed to be just as distinctive, unique, and true to Fiji.  Our mission was to create a proud symbol that would stand out at some of the world’s busiest international airports, a symbol that would allow us to become the very best ‘Flying Ambassador’ that Fiji could ever have,” said the airline’s CEO.

On the aircrafts’ exterior, three Masi symbols will represent ‘Fiji Airways’. The distinctive Teteva motif, designed by renowned Fijian Masi artist Makereta Matemosi, is at the heart of the new brandmark revealed last month.  Featured prominently at the center of the airline’s new brandmark and on the tail of the new aircraft, it represents the friendliness of Fijians’ and their deep caring nature. The Rova symbol, on the aircraft engine, symbolises the warm greeting Fijians extend to visitors, while the Makare symbol, which appears in the prominent position and scale on the front and underside of the plane, communicates the new ‘Fiji Airways’ name by evoking the allure of clear water flowing on a white sandy beach.

The unveiling of ‘Fiji Airways’ new livery and plane interiors is the latest milestone in a series of initiatives that are part of Air Pacific’s revitalisation and modernisation. The final phase of this process will begin in early 2013 when the airline welcomes the first of the three brand-new A330s and returns to its 1951 name of ‘Fiji Airways.’   The second A330 is scheduled to arrive in May 2013 and the third in November 2013.

The full re-branding for the airline is due to be complete by the end of 2013, by which time the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brand will roll out across the international marketplace, ticket offices, check-in counters, airport lounge facilities, uniforms and the airline’s official website.

The airline’s World Premier event in Suva, Fiji, was dedicated to raising funds for Fiji’s neediest children and children from flood-stricken families.  “Because we are a part of Fiji’s national community, we wanted to give back to Fiji’s local community,” said Mr. Pflieger.   “Wings of Hope, our airline’s charity, is committed to supporting Fiji’s most precious resource – its children.”

The airline donated two round-trip business class tickets on the first A330 inaugural flight – or a flight of the winner’s choice – in a raffle and pledged to match its donations dollar-for-dollar. The proceeds will benefit the FRIEND (Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development), which is based in Lautoka, through the Wings of Hope. The airline earlier this year donated FJ$100,000 to FRIEND. Wings of Hope has in the past also contributed to Nadi Hospital to assist school-children whose families were affected by March floods, Treasure Home (home for orphaned children) and various school projects.