Fiji Airways takes delivery of its third A350
Fiji Airways has taken delivery of its newest Airbus A350-900XWB as part of the national carrier's journey to modernise its fleet.
Image courtesy Fiji Airways
Named the Island of Beqa, the brand new aircraft, is the third A350 to join the Fiji Airways fleet.
The Island of Beqa will add more capacity to Fiji Airways' leading source markets of Australia and New Zealand, as well as increase capacity for long haul flights to San Francisco and Vancouver, and Hong Kong which is the airline's current gateway to China.
Company Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen, said one of the airline's five 'Game Changer' Strategies they have relentlessly pursued since 2017 has been the modernisation of its fleet, with 'new generation' aircraft such as the Airbus A350: "The A350 with its superior cabin, significant fuel savings and substantial cargo capacity has fast become the pride of our airline and the joy of our passengers.
"The Island of Beqa is brand new, having been put into storage immediately after manufacturing. We were able to negotiate a lucrative deal to acquire it."
"It combines the very latest aerodynamics, new generation engines and use of lightweight materials, to bring a 25% advantage in fuel burn, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and operating costs compared to previous generation aircraft."
Mr Viljoen adds the airline is now in a stronger position to explore new destinations.
"Fiji Airways brings in 70% of all visitors to Fiji. We are crucial to the long term sustainable growth of the tourism industry which is 45% of our Gross Domestic Product and the largest employer in the country.
"As the National Airline we recognise our role is not just to be the bridge to and from the world but to support the growth of tourism, one of the ways we can do this is by introducing new destinations with potential for high tourism opportunities."