Air Pacific taps one of its top executives as "Acting CEO" to lead the airline until permanent CEO is announced

Nadi, Fiji – The Chairman of the Board of Air Pacific, soon to be flying as “Fiji Airways”, today announced that Aubrey Swift, one of the airline’s top executives, has been tapped to lead the airline while the search for a permanent chief executive officer to replace departing Managing Director & CEO Dave Pflieger wraps up. Swift, who currently serves as the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, will assume the role of ‘Acting CEO’ effective Sunday, May 5, 2013 following Pflieger’s departure.

“With the talent and experience that Aubrey has demonstrated throughout his 20-year career as an airline industry executive and during his tenure at Air Pacific, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that Aubrey is the right choice to oversee the continuation of the airline’s highly successful revitalisation and rebranding initiatives and to ensure a seamless leadership transition. Responsible for every aspect of the airline’s marketing, planning, revenue management, freight, global sales, and all other commercial activities, Aubrey’s proven capabilities have earned the respect and full confidence of the Board,” said Nalin Patel, Chairman of Air Pacific’s Board of Directors.

The Board also announced that it expects to conclude its search for a permanent CEO to replace Pflieger in the next month, noting there has been world-wide interest in the role, and this has resulted in a large pool of highly qualified candidates to choose from. “Because Dave assembled such an impressive and deep bench of highly talented local and overseas executives, we can afford the time to conduct a thorough replacement search knowing that the tremendous work already being undertaken by the Company and its leadership team to take delivery of additional A330s and conclude our ‘Fiji Airways’ rebranding will continue without interruption,” said Mr. Patel.

“Dave did an amazing job here, and it is an honour to work side-by-side with such dedicated, talented, and hard-working people, to safeguard his legacy of safety, operational excellence, award-winning customer service, employee satisfaction, and profitability,” said Mr. Swift. “Soon to be flying as ‘Fiji Airways,’ our team here has created a dynamic platform for future growth and success, and I am excited to be a part of it. I greatly appreciate the Board’s confidence. Together with Air Pacific’s terrific team of dedicated people, I look forward to ensuring our future success as we keep our employees engaged and rewarded, ensure our customers are satisfied, and make Fiji proud.”

Before joining Air Pacific, Swift served in senior commercial roles at British Airways, Virgin Blue and most recently at V Australia, where he helped design, launch and grow, that start-up carrier from Brisbane.

MD/CEO Dave Pflieger, employees honoured for success of Air Pacific's turnaround & rebranding

Execution of Turnaround Plan, New A330s, ‘Fiji Airways’ Rebranding, and Other Team Accomplishments Highlighted at Company Event
Airline Employees Bid MD/CEO Dave Pflieger Emotional Fijian Farewell
Nadi, Fiji — Having successfully achieved another milestone in the Air Pacific’s (soon to be ‘Fiji Airways’) turnaround plan, airline employees today hosted an event to honour successes like the A330 delivery and entry into service as well as a farewell to Managing Director & CEO Dave Pflieger, who is leaving the airline to return to his home in the United States, as announced in February.

“The incredible success of our turnaround plan is a testament to the men and women who make our airline the pride of Fiji,” Pflieger told the employees.  “These results are not one person’s successes—they are the results of a team that planned, executed, and accomplished everything we aimed to do and more.  Our amazing achievements are the results of a great team doing great things.  They are your successes.”

Air Pacific Chairman Nalin Patel applauded Pflieger’s leadership and his commitment to the airline’s employees as being central to the turnaround plan’s success.

“Dave Pflieger’s incredible vision, leadership and drive resulted in one of the most remarkable airline turnarounds in recent history, and he did this while maintaining the strongest pro-employee proposition of any airline CEO who has had to undertake an airline restructuring and revitalisation in recent times,” Patel said.  “Having successfully restored the airline to profitability in just two years, and revitalised and rebranded the airline in just three, Dave has earned the respect of all of his employees and Fijians everywhere.”

In his remarks to employees, Mr. Pflieger outlined many of the airline’s accomplishments over the past three years, including:

• Dramatically improving Air Pacific’s on-time performance, reliability and customer service;
• A financial turnaround of $ 91.8 million in loss to $16.5 million in profit;
• Rebranding the airline to best represent everything Fiji has to offer as “Fiji Airways”;
• Making hundreds of millions of dollars of investments in the airline and hence the nation’s tourism industry and economy, by purchasing the airline’s first-ever wide-body aircraft expressly designed and built from the ground up to represent Fiji and the Fijian people;
• Implementing a front-line Key Performance Indicator (“KPI”) incentive program that rewards front-line employees for top performance with bonuses of up to $1,200 per person per year. This plan has already paid out $600,000 in its first year alone;
• Creating a first-ever Profit Sharing Plan for all non-management employees;
• Being the only airline to operate during all four days of last year’s flooding as well as being the first airline to immediately resume operations after Cyclone Evan hit the nation this past December;
• Creating a first-ever Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) programme that already features partnerships with FRIEND (Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development) and the Mamanuca Environmental Society; and now includes the sponsorship of a new ‘Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic’; and
• And being twice recognised by Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards, ranking among the Top 10 Small Airlines in the world in 2011, and among the Top 5 in 2012.

Air Pacific’s employees bid Pflieger a Fijian farewell complete with a traditional Kava ceremony and long-time employees speaking about their thanks for his service, dedication and incredible hard work over the past three years.

“It has been my privilege and honour to be a part of this world-class team.  You are all in my heart as I leave Fiji knowing that our airline—and the whole nation—is going to ‘Soar to New Horizons,’ Pflieger concluded.

“‘Vinaka Vakalevu’ for the hospitality and friendship you have shown my family and me during my tenure here—nowhere is the renowned hospitality of Fiji felt more than at our airline.”

Air Pacific Unveils New Operations Control Centre

World Class Operations Infrastructure Joins Airline’s World Class Aircraft and Customer Support

Friday, May 3 – NADI: Air Pacific, soon to be ‘Fiji Airways’ unveiled a first-of-its-kind in Fiji all-new Operations Control Centre (OCC) today at the airline’s main offices in Nadi, Fiji.  The OCC will be the central hub of the airline’s operations and boasts state-of-the art equipment, facilities and operators.

“A critical part of our three-year revitalisation plan always included a comprehensive overhaul and modernisation of our operational support.  In completing this step, we have maximised our efficiencies, increased our skill-levels and reduced our costs significantly,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific Managing Director and CEO.  “Most importantly, we are supercharging our ability to provide our loyal customers with among the best aviation infrastructure in the world.”
Benefits of the new Operations Control Centre include:

• Cutting-edge technology solutions;
• Training of in-house employees to replace the need for 3rd-party support;
• Further improving On-Time Performance (OTP), fleet reliability and capabilities;
• Enhancing scheduling stability and efficiencies;
• Optimal disruption recovery through technology solutions and facilities that enhance decision making abilities;
• Reducing the airline’s overall costs; and
• Opportunities to offer services to foreign carriers operating into Nadi International Airport (NAN).

The unveiling of the new Operations Control Centre comes one month after the airline accepted the first of its three brand new Airbus A330s) wide-body aircraft.  The new aircraft carries the new ‘Fiji Airways’ branding that is authentic, distinctive, and true to the airline’s Fijian roots.  The arrival of new aircraft will also result in increased frequencies to Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Los Angeles throughout 2013.

By the end of 2013, Air Pacific will have retired its existing fleet of Boeing 747s, repainted and upgraded all of its Boeing 737s, rolled out new uniforms, and introduced a number of new customer service enhancements to reflect and elevate the new brand of ‘Fiji Airways’ which will launch in June 2013.

“We are a world-class airline, with a world-class flying experience backed by a world-class infrastructure,” Pflieger concluded.  “We’ve left no stone unturned in our focus to ‘soar to new heights’.”  

Support for Fiji’s First-Ever Preventative Medicine Clinic Underscores Airline’s Continued Commitment to Fiji’s Communities

Air Pacific, soon to be ‘Fiji Airways’, and Zens Medical Centre in Nadi today announced a new partnership aimed at providing Fiji with the nation’s first-ever ‘wellness clinic’.  To be named the ‘Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic’, the new clinic, on a referral basis, intends to offer a range of health and wellness checks designed to achieve the goal of early detection and prevention of Fiji’s most common causes of death, namely: heart disease; diabetes; hypertension; and strokes.   
“As Fiji’s national airline, we are committed to improving the lives and well-being of not only our staff, but all Fijians.  On behalf of the more than 800 professionals who work at our airline, we are very pleased to be partnering with Zens Medical Centre to address this important issue. The Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic will contribute to a healthier Fiji by making available free wellness and health checks for patients referred by their General Practitioners,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific Managing Director & CEO. “Support for this new clinic is a fitting way to commemorate the rebranding of Fiji’s national airline from Air Pacific to Fiji Airways.  In the same way that our airline is soaring to new horizons, by supporting staff wellness programs and early detection, we want to make it possible for all Fijians to soar to new horizons, as well.”

Under the four year agreement with the Medical Centre, Air Pacific (soon to be ‘Fiji Airways’) will provide financial support, and Zens Medical Centre (Nadi) will manage the clinic and provide for specialist medical staff, supplies and expertise to perform health check-ups.

“We are proud to partner with Air Pacific in creating Fiji’s first-ever preventive medicine clinic. Most other clinics in Fiji are focused on providing treatments after a lifestyle disease has been diagnosed. The Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic’s goal, however, is to start a programme of early detection and prevention of these diseases to help patients who are found to be ‘at risk’ with the means to modify their lifestyle through health education, exercise, and diet counselling,” said Dr Zen Low, Director of Zens Medical Centre.

“Diabetes, high-blood pressure, heart and kidney diseases are among the top medical causes of death in Fiji. Currently, we’re seeing young adults in their late 20s suffering heart attacks; as young as 30 suffering from strokes, and four out of 10 adults in our population are diabetics. As a result, our new clinic plans to provide preventative measures to reduce non-communicable diseases like diabetes, and to reduce the progression of organ complications - kidney failure, heart attacks, and stroke - associated with established non-communicable diseases. The clinic also aims to look after patients with early stages of kidney failure, and prepare patients and families with end stage kidney failure for renal transplant and haemodialysis,” Dr Low added.

The Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic will also offer, on referral basis, various medical tests and services for other non-communicable diseases to the public free of charge. These include blood pressure and sugar tests, blood tests, lipid tests, hypertension screening, screening for strokes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease diagnosis and treatment, including dialysis treatment.
In addition, the airline has also made a one-time donation to help the medical centre pay off one of its dialysis machines.

The new clinic has already screened over 70 patients this year, and it is expected that 960 patients will benefit from the Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic every year.
In furtherance of the clinic’s objectives of Preventative Health Care, all Fiji- based Air Pacific employees will also be offered free medical tests for early detection of these diseases.

“We are proud to be Fiji’s national airline, and it’s only right that our corporate social responsibility efforts are geared towards causes and initiatives which will benefit the wider community. We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm of Dr. Low and his team to provide early detection and prevention of serious diseases in Nadi and Western Viti Levu,” Pflieger concluded.  “This partnership has been in discussion for over a year, and it builds on the others we’ve already put in place in recent years, including Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development (FRIEND) for the education of the underprivileged children of Fiji, the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) for the preservation of Fiji’s beautiful marine ecosystems.”

Free services at the Fiji Airways Medical Clinic at Zens Medical Centre commenced on the 22nd of April and are located at 40 Lodhia Street, Nadi Town. The clinic will be open Fridays from 5pm – 8pm, and see patients upon referral from other General Practitioners and medical personnel.

Air Pacific Provides "Sneak Peek" of First New Airbus A330, ‘Island of Taveuni’

Air Pacific (soon to be Fiji Airways in June) operated an inaugural (pre-Fiji Airways) "sneak peek" commercial flight with its first new Airbus A330-220 and new branding to Auckland this morning (Tuesday 2 April), reflecting the commitment of Fiji’s national carrier to one of its most important markets--New Zealand.

As Fiji's flying ambassador, Air Pacific flies tens of thousands of Kiwi holiday-makers and locally based Fijian nationals to the friendly Fiji islands every year.

“New Zealand is an essential part of our global network, and we are excited to be replacing our venerable B747s with new state-of-the art A330 aircraft that come equipped with the latest in passenger comfort and in-flight entertainment features,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.

“With a history spanning more than 60 years, in June, Air Pacific will be returning to its 1951 roots with new ‘Fiji Airways’ branding as well as new service, new product, and new crew uniforms that are authentic, distinctive and true to our friendly Fijian culture and heritage,” he said.

The airline is offering New Zealanders an early preview of just the plane at this point, since the remainder of the new branding and new service model will not be rolled out until June 2013.

The first aircraft, which has been designed exclusively for Fiji’s national carrier, is named after one of Fiji’s 333 beautiful islands, the Island of Taveuni, also known as ‘The Garden Island’ – a nod to the airline’s heritage.

“Our new planes and stunning new branding is already a great source of pride among the Fijian community, in Fiji and here in Auckland.

“Air Pacific punches well above its weight for a relatively small airline. It is one of only seven airlines to operate multiple international routes from New Zealand, and is the only airline that offers a daily business class service from New Zealand to Fiji and on to Los Angeles and Hong Kong.”

“We already pride ourselves on our ability to deliver award-winning world-class service to our guests from New Zealand, Australia, the U.S. and beyond, and we think we will have a truly winning combination when we combine our superb people with fantastic new wide-body aircraft--the first wide-body planes our airline has ever purchased.

As the only airline to offer a truly Fijian experience as soon as guests step on board, we believe our new aircraft will allow everyone to relax and start their vacation before they step foot in beautiful Fiji itself" added Pflieger.

As a full service airline that provides clients with complimentary beverages, snack meal, onboard entertainment and one piece of checked in luggage of up to 23kgs, Air Pacific’s exceptional service is also evident in their daily Business Class product when guests fly from New Zealand to Fiji.

Fiji Airways will be operating daily connections from across 17 domestic New Zealand cities to feed into international flights for Auckland to Nadi. Further, a total of 13 flights a week from New Zealand to Fiji will take place in 2013 (including CHC-NAN, AKL-SUV & AKL-NAN).

Vinaka from Air Pacific for your kind words (Source: fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=228744)

* Indra Kumar, Scarborough, Canada

Go Fiji go!

* William Moreland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Congratulations Fiji Airways (Air Pacific). As a frequent visitor to Viti, it excites me to know that Fiji is now able to showcase even more of the warmth of Fijian culture to the world long before travellers touch down in paradise. This is a new beginning.

All my best wishes go out to everyone who has been involved in this great new adventure. For Fiji ever Fiji!

* Leba of Suva

Congratulations on the new Airbus! From Leba & Cama Vakayatu of Stage 2, Cunningham

Bula! Can't wait to board this new Airbus A330-200. Passengers will finally be able to experience world-class comfort and state-of-the-art cabins and in-seat entertainment.

* Seteo Tuta of Waila, Nausori

Fiji has reached another milestone in moving forward through technology. Having the first Airbus under her name is a very excellent achievement. Congratulations Fiji Airways!

* Alex Pene of Nadi

Congratulations to our very own Flying Fiji Airways, may you continue to promote and uphold the friendly and unique spirit we Fijians are known for and yes, continue to put that island spirit up there in the skies! Vinaka Air Pacific, Bula Fiji Airways!

* Sanjeet Prasad of Labasa

Let's be part of history making. Let's celebrate and welcome our new Fiji Airways A330 in Fijian style.

* Avikesh Narayan of Lautoka

I'd like to say thanks for writing Fiji on the belly of the A330-200. 15Mr. Iene of Lot 4, Malo Road, Davuilevu Fiji welcomes you home Airbus A330-200. Thank you Fiji Airways for giving us another reason to be proud of our island paradise, Fiji!

* Keshni Lata of Melbourne, Australia

Congratulations, well done Fiji.

* Bill, Mahns, Jane, Israel of Namuka-i-Lau District School, Lau

Sa malo bula! The students and teachers here at Namuka-i-Lau would like to welcome the new pride of Fiji that is now heading to our paradise. Go Fiji go!

* Arthur Edwards of Auckland, New Zealand

Congratulations to Fiji Airways on the acquisition of state-of-the-art plane. Best wishes in showcasing Fiji to the world!

* Roger Vakamoce of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan

Welcome home baby, we are proud of you. Congratulations Fiji Airways for the new Airbus Boeing A330-200. Kabul International Airport Ground staff welcome you! All the best with all your fantastic destinations all over the world.

* Dinesh Kumar of USA

Pride of Fiji, our new Airbus. Welcome to your new home. Look forward to travelling with you soon.

* Liti Maramalevu of Weipa, Queensland

Congratulations Fiji Airways!

* Jayci Albert of Vancouver, Canada

Proud of Fiji and the new colours and name of Fiji's national airline. Congrats on the new plane.

* Mereseini Vunivota, Yaroi, Savusavu

What a blessing. I'm very proud of development taking place in my country. Thanks to you Fiji Airways.

* Rusiate Rokosiga of Waisoi Camp, Namosi

Welcome home A330-200. You make Fiji proud. One day I will fly with you around the world.

* Jay Shankar of Vancouver, Canada

My family and I are so proud to be Fijians. We can't wait to get a chance to fly on the new plane.

* Joe Bomal Carlo of Port Vila, Vanuatu

I am a ni-Vanuatu but proud and happy to be associated with Fiji Airways as I regularly travelled in the Heron aircraft to and from the Solomons where we attended King George VI College from 1965 to 1969. It took six hours from Vila, a far cry from today's jet travel. I agree Fiji Airways makes it truly authentic. From now on my travel connections to East or West will be through Nadi—in the comfort of a magnificient airline and on board service.

nAshwin Chand of South Sudan

Congratulations for the new bus in the air. All the best from peace-keeping officers from South Sudan.

* Raiwalui Family of Brisbane, Australia

Congratulations Fiji Airways on the new aircraft. Wananavu! Can't wait to travel in the new plane. Vinaka.

* Yunesh of Melbourne, Australia

Fiji Airways! Why did we not think of that name before? Congratulations!

* Semi Lalaqila, Kabul City , Afganistan

Welcome home Fiji Airways. We are proud of you. Can't wait to board in on my coming vacation to our beloved Fiji.

* Mere Ilivula of Colo i Suva, Forestry Qrts

Bula vinaka Fiji Airways!

* Manoj of Toronto, Canada

Congratulations to Fiji! I hope the new Airbus will be used to and from LAX.

* Millie Zender of Chicago, USA

Welcome home, way to go!

* Kanjana Kumar of Sydney, Australia

Congratulations Fiji Airways. Looking forward to travelling with you soon.

* Annie of Auckland, NZ

I'm very proud to be a Fijian living overseas. What an achievement! To rename Air Pacific—Fiji Airways and to use Taveuni and Namuka-i-Lau is a fantastic idea. You make us homesick
Back to News section

Fiji’s National Carrier’s Unveils First New Airbus A330 Across the Nation
New Aircraft Enhances Airline’s Services and Schedule
Major Welcome Event Highlights Nation’s Strong Support for Airline’s Future

Tuesday, March 19 – NADI: Completing an 18-month journey from order to delivery, Air Pacific’s first brand new Airbus A330-200 arrived at the airline’s base of operations in Nadi, Fiji from Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France.  The aircraft represents state-of-the-art comfort, best-in-class amenities, and the strong future of Air Pacific, which is being renamed ‘Fiji Airways’ in June of 2013.

The first of three Airbus A330s ordered in October 2011 and designed exclusively for Fiji’s national carrier—a first for the airline, the new aircraft carries the new ‘Fiji Airways’ branding that is authentic, distinctive, and true to the airline’s Fijian roots.  The aircraft is named after one of Fiji’s 333 beautiful islands, Taveuni, also known as ‘The Garden Island.’  

“The arrival of our first new Airbus A330 carrying the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brand and Island of Taveuni name represents an exciting future that is rooted in our more than 60-year history and service to the people of Fiji as the nation’s flying ambassador,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.  
The aircraft’s arrival underscores the success of the airline’s turnaround plan, which started in 2010 and has culminated in reversing record losses and significantly growing passengers and revenue without increasing the size of the carrier’s fleet.

 
As a further vote of confidence in the future of the airline and Fiji, the financing agreement secured with KfW IPEX-Bank and Helaba for the aircraft has been guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) of the British Government with reinsurance being provided by other European Credit Agencies (ECA’s) Coface of France and Euler Hermes of Germany.

“There are so many people we owe thanks to for their support in this journey—the government, our financial partners, our shareholders and Board, manufacturers, and many others.  Without their faith in the airline’s bright future, this milestone would not be possible,” noted Pflieger.  “Most importantly, we owe an enormous thanks to our nearly 900 employees whose efforts have caused our airline to be recognized among the finest in the world.  They share this airplane with the people of Fiji.”


The first A330 arrived in Fiji via Hong Kong with the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on board, along with Dave Pflieger, MD & CEO, as well as other executives from Air Pacific, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Panasonic.  On the ground in Fiji, The Honourable Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Mr. Nalin Patel, Chairman of Air Pacific's Board of Directors, and hundreds of other dignitaries, business partners and other Fijians greeted the nation’s new ‘flying ambassador’ upon arrival.  

Highlights of the welcome event included traditional Fijian ceremonies to appropriately welcome the nation’s first- ever brand new wide-body aircraft.   The new aircraft also performed a fly-over of Fijian cities and islands prior to landing in Nadi.

Highlights of the aircraft’s features and amenities include:

• A stunning new livery, with Makareta Matemosi’s memorable Masi artwork and ‘Fiji’ proudly outlined on the sides and bottom of the fuselage.
• Dramatically new interiors, mood lighting, comfortable seats, angled lay-flat beds and a state-of-the-art, on-demand in-flight entertainment system—all inspired by Fiji’s elegant, yet earthy, beauty and striking new Masi artwork.
• Impressive, environmentally friendly Trent 772 engines from Rolls-Royce that reduce our airline’s carbon footprint by 40% over our current Boeing 747s—something particularly important to Fiji and other island nations here in the South Pacific.

The airline recently released an updated network schedule highlighting routes to be served by the new A330 aircraft, and those to Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.  The arrival of new aircraft will also result in increased frequencies to Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Los Angeles throughout 2013.  

While the inaugural commercial flight of the airline’s new aircraft as ‘Fiji Airways’ will not occur until June, there will be ‘sneak peek’ flights with limited amenities from Auckland – Nadi on April 2 followed by an April 4 Nadi – Hong Kong flight.
From its departure from Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France, Island of Taveuni stopped in Hong Kong en route to Nadi, Fiji on March 18.  As part of the stop, the airline announced a partnership with the Ben Kende Foundation, a Hong Kong-based non-profit organization, and the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU), which includes Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, to carry essential sports medical supplies from Hong Kong to Fiji.  The spinal boards—together with medical equipment generously donated by Event Medical Services—were carried on the aircraft from Hong Kong for delivery to FORU.

“Enhancing the quality of life of all Fijians extends beyond our flights to cities around the world and stretches to Fijian communities right here at home,” said Mr. Pflieger.
 

The airline’s second and third A330s are scheduled to arrive in May and November, respectively.  By the end of 2013, Air Pacific will have retired its existing fleet of Boeing 747s, repainted and upgraded all of its Boeing 737s, rolled out new uniforms, and introduced a number of new customer service enhancements to reflect and elevate the new brand of ‘Fiji Airways’ which will launch in June of 2013.

As Fiji’s only national airline, the airline is focused on contributing to the country’s economic growth and well-being.  The A330s will support Fiji’s economy in two ways: aiding growth in its travel and tourism industry—which is already 30% of Fiji’s GDP; and augmenting the export of Fiji’s agriculture and textile products.  

“The responsibilty that comes with being the nation’s carrier is reflected by our commitment to bring greater economic benefit to Fijians by broadening tourism and trade opportunities.  The new Airbus A330 is central to that commitment,” concluded Mr. Pflieger.  “With this new aircraft, Fiji’s national airline is truly ‘Soaring to New Horizions’ and strengthening its goal to become the preferred airline in the South Pacific.”

• Fun Facts Sheet
• MDCEO Remarks
• A330 Touchdown LR
• A330 Touchdown HR
• A330_WaterSalute_LR
• A330_WaterSalute_HR

National Carrier Names First New Airbus A330 after Fiji’s Garden Island

Tuesday, March 19 – NADI: In continuing a proud tradition of naming its airplanes after Fiji’s islands, Air Pacific announced that it is christening its first brand new Airbus A330 aircraft the Island of Taveuni, in honour of one of Fiji’s most popular island destinations.

The third largest island in Fiji, Taveuni is located in North Eastern Fiji. A popular tourist destination, it is notable for many things.  Its stunning Bouma waterfall (part of the greater Bouma National Heritage Park), the rare and unique Tagimoucia flower that is endemic in Taveuni, an ancient lava tube waterslide, its own unique indigenous bird, world famous reefs rated among the top dive spots on Earth – the Rainbow Reef and Great White Wall, and a geographic position atop the old 180 degree international date line all have earned Taveuni the reputation as Fiji’s “Garden Island.”

In addition to these renowned natural attractions, Taveuni is also home to many award-winning exclusive luxury resorts, and the historic Wairiki Catholic Mission which overlooks the site of a significant battle with Tonga.

“Naming our first brand new Airbus A330—an icon for our airline—after another Fijian icon has great historical and significant importance for our airline,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.  

“As the flag carrier and national airline of Fiji, we’re committed to bringing attention to the nation’s beautiful outer islands, many of which have distinct and unique attractions and attributes. That our first new Airbus A330 will continue this proud tradition by carrying the name of Fiji’s Garden Island underscores the importance of being the nation’s flying ambassador to the world, an honour we take very seriously.”

Air Pacific’s tradition of naming aircraft after Fijian islands was recently evidenced when it named its newest Boeing 737 aircraft after the Mamanuca Islands, a stunning chain of islands off the Western coast of Fiji’s main island.
Its current fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft are named after Viti Levu (Fiji’s largest and main island) and Vanua Levu (Fiji’s second largest island), with other aircraft named after Gau, Kadavu and Koro. The Island of Taveuni name was in use on a Boeing 767 that was retired from service last year.

Air Pacific’s regional subsidiary Pacific Sun operates daily flights to Taveuni.

 
Air Pacific Looks to Fund Promotion of Bouma Waterfall and Historic International Dateline
Air Pacific also announced that as part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to support Fiji and its vital travel and tourism industries, it plans to work with the Fijian government to enhance signage at the Bouma Waterfall and the 180-degree longitude line, which is the historic former international dateline on the island of Taveuni.

“Sponsoring new signage at two of Fiji’s most notable landmarks that draw visitors from across the globe—many of whom we proudly transport to the island—seems a befitting way to commemorate naming the nation’s first A330 after Taveuni Island.  It’s a symbol of our continued commitment to bring more visitors and economic activity to this island and across all of Fiji,” Pflieger noted.
Air Pacific welcomed home the Island of Taveuni on the 19th of March, and its second and third A330s will arrive in May and November, respectively. The airline will officially become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June of 2013.

Air Pacific (soon to be Fiji Airways) today announced that it had successfully taken ownership and delivery of its first-ever brand-new wide body aircraft, the Airbus A330-200.

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, respectively. The transfer of title and delivery ceremony was completed in Toulouse, France on Thursday March 14th with Airbus officials, Air Pacific executives, and Air Pacific's own aircraft delivery team.

The delivery ceremony followed yesterday's announcement that the airline's international European banking partners had signed the financing agreement for the first of three new A330-200 aircraft it is purchasing, with a commitment to finance the two additional aircraft due to be delivered in May and November of this 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 Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.

"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 a stunning new ‘Fiji Airways’ authentic Fijian brand mark and design both inside and out, the new A330s will feature comfortable seats with excellent leg room and in seat power and entertainment in Pacific Voyager/economy, and TV size entertainment screens and angled lay flat beds in Tabua/Business Class.

“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, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer – Customers. 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 now begins an approximately 18,000 kilometer journey from Airbus' manufacturing centre in Toulouse, France to Nadi, Fiji via Hong Kong. It will arrive in Nadi on Tuesday, March 19 at a welcome event at the airline's facilities at the 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" said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific's Managing Director & CEO.

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 B747 is returned to its overseas owner.

For additional updates and exciting news about the soon to be launched "Fiji Airways" and "sneak peeks" of the new plane in various markets, please visit us at fijiairways.com.

Take a photo to win

So come out and witness Fiji’s ‘flying billboard’ as it does a lap of honour around Fiji on March 19. Take photos and post them to Facebook. The best and most creative photos will go up on this website, and sender’s will go into the draw to win Air Pacific and Fiji Airways’ branded giveaways*!

• Fly-by subject to favourable weather conditions.
• Photos of the A330 must be taken when the aircraft is in Fiji territory.
• Photo must be submitted at facebook.com/airpacific on 19 March 2013.
  

Subscribe to win a ticket

And to celebrate this key milestone, we’re giving a away a free return ticket for one anywhere on our network. To enter, simply SUBSCRIBE above. All names entered between March 12 – March 19 will go into the prize draw! Conditions apply

Conditions of the Prize

• One subscription per valid email address only.
• Reservations and ticketing must be made through the Air Pacific Marketing Office in Nadi, Fiji.  This must be made at least ten (10) working days prior to requested date of departure.
• Visa application and associated costs are not the responsibility of Air Pacific Limited.
• Applicable Government taxes and surcharges are not included with this ticket and is the sole responsibility of the ticket holder.This ticket is not transferable, cannot be en-cashed nor can it be redeemed in any other form.
• Travel is valid on Air Pacific operated [prime] services only. All connecting flights on other airlines are at the prize-winners’ cost and responsibility.
• Travel must be taken and be completed no later than 8 March 2014.  Due to prior commercial demand, travel restrictions and blackout dates may apply during certain periods.

80 local Air Pacific aircraft engineers and engineering support staff have completed an intensive Airbus training and familiarisation course, permitting them to operate and certify the A330 aircraft.  

As the national airline prepares to receive the first of its A330 aircraft arriving in Fiji on March 19th, it’s undergoing and completing a series of readiness programmes to ensure its specialist staff like pilots, engineers and cabin crew are certified to operate the new aircraft type.

24 local aircraft engineers have been trained over four months on the new Airbus systems through computer-based simulation training in Nadi, facilitated by experienced Airbus trainers from the European aircraft manufacturer’s Toulouse Training Centre in France.

In addition to the 24 aircraft engineers, 56 Air Pacific engineering support staff have undergone familiarisation training for the A330-200 aircraft type.

“The course provided training on the air frame and engine of the aircraft type, covering avionics and mechanical systems on the A330-200”, says Thomas Robinson, Air Pacific’s General Manager Engineering. “This adds another aircraft type to their existing sign-off capabilities and is definitely an addition to the skill sets of our local engineers.”

In addition to those trained here, six local Air Pacific engineers have also undergone practical requirement training in Switzerland. This will be the initial group that will certify the first A330 aircraft for its first flights.

“Our engineers have gained admiration and praise from international trainers who have spoken highly of their capabilities and potentials. This has a good reflection on our pool of local talent and our airline’s uncompromising priority on safety and operations standards,” added Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific Managing Director and CEO.

“Our investment in the A330 aircraft means we’re upskilling our staff to fly, operate and certify this type of aircraft. This means a more qualified workforce which is good for the national airline and the country.”

More local engineers will undergo further familiarisation and specialist training at the Rolls-Royce (Derby, UK) and Delta Airlines (Los Angeles, USA) facilities for the engine and airframe. Our Avionics engineers will also get trained by Panasonic to work on the A330’s new In Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems – the eX2.

Adam Voss, Air Pacific Executive General Manager Engineering added, “The introduction of this sophisticated modern aircraft into the Air Pacific fleet is a significant milestone, and to have trained our Engineering staff and gained regulatory approvals in readiness for the arrival of the A330 is testament to the hard work and commitment of all stakeholders”.

As Air Pacific puts in place final preparations before the arrival of its first A330 on March 19th, its 242 Cabin Crew are getting up-skilled and ‘checked out’ to operate this aircraft type. The intensive training incorporates both cabin safety for the new A330, and the refined service touches of the soon-to-be ‘Fiji Airways’ onboard experience.

Over 80 cabin crew have already attended the specialised A330 conversion training in Hong Kong at the Cathay Pacific Airways’ state-of-the-art training facility. The training ensures that crew are competent and confident in cabin safety and emergency procedures for the A330. “Like every other aspect of our business, safety is top priority and is the first step in the training program for our cabin crew who will operate the airline’s incoming flagship aircraft”, said Raelene Gibson, Air Pacific’s Manager Cabin Crew.

“The next step as we prepare to receive the first of our A330's is the new and enhanced onboard guest experience aligned to providing our guests with authentic Fijian hospitality”, she added.

The four-day hospitality workshops are conducted by the Air Pacific Guest Services team at the Training Centre at Nadi Airport. "The workshops are designed to engage and orientate cabin crew to the new product and service signatures that have been crafted to offer a unique and differentiated guest experience" says Mark Turner, General Manager Guest Services and In-flight.

"Even our Nadi Training Centre has been given a make-over. Our rebrand is all inclusive. We have a new look and with it a new branded guest experience which I am confident will delight our guests when they step onboard one of our flights, and there's more to come once we officially become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June.

Once the first A330 arrives in Nadi, Fiji on March 19th, all cabin crew will undergo a further one-day aircraft familiarisation programme to ensure they are fully conversant with its latest equipment and features.

Air Pacific pursers (cabin service supervisors) and senior flight attendants have already undergone extensive formal leadership and cabin management ‘up-skilling’ training in preparation for the airline’s new brand rollout. This training was conducted and supported by an Ireland-based aviation training and development expert and the InterContinental Hotel Group, who provided specialised insights into delivering a 5-star branded guest experience.

“We have partnered with the best training service providers across the globe to ensure our crew are meeting the highest standards of service for our customers as we welcome these new aircraft and transition to ‘Fiji Airways’,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.
“Our outstanding crew are the reason we received first-ever recognition from Conde Nast Traveler magazine and one of the World’s “Top 5” Small Airlines for two years in a row (2011 & 2012). And we’re confident with further world-class training, new aircraft and a new service model, we will achieve our goal of offering the best flying experience in the South Pacific.”

Two Renowned International Banking Partners Selected to Finance New A330 Aircraft Following Enthusiastic Market Response

Air Pacific, Fiji’s national carrier soon to be flying as ‘Fiji Airways’ today announced that following the conclusion of a highly competitive bidding process, it had selected two major international aviation banks for European export credit financing for its three new A330-200 aircraft. The two banks are German-based: KfW IPEX-Bank and Helaba.
    

The selection of these two well-known international banking partners is the result of a highly competitive RFP process overseen by one of the world’s leading financial advisory consultancies in the aviation sector, SkyWorks Capital, LLC.  SkyWorks Capital issued the Air Pacific RFP in late 2012 to a number of major international aviation banks, and thereafter received 7 firm proposals involving 11 separate banks, including five of the top global Export Credit banking groups.

“We are extremely pleased with the international financial community’s desire to invest in Fiji’s national airline, and on behalf of the nation we are proud to represent, we would like to thank everyone who participated,” said Dave Pflieger, Managing Director and CEO of Air Pacific.

“This strong response from well-known and highly experienced global financial institutions is a solid endorsement of Fiji’s national carrier, gained through the proven success of its turnaround plan, the strength of its management team, and the stability and strength of Fiji and its economy,” noted Ian McBain, managing director of SkyWorks Capital, who oversaw the RFP process on behalf of Air Pacific.

The move to finalise financing of its new aircraft follows the successful completion of purchase agreements in late 2012 with Airbus and Rolls-Royce for the purchase of three new Rolls-Royce powered, A330-200 Heavy Gross weight aircraft.  Designated to replace Air Pacific’s current Boeing 747 fleet, the first aircraft delivery will be in March, 2013, with the second and third aircraft delivering in May and November, 2013 respectively.  The A330-200s are the first brand new wide-body aircraft ever purchased by the 60 year old national airline, and they are valued in the Airbus catalogue at a price of USD $600 million ($F1.069 billion).

“The choice of KfW IPEX-Bank and Helaba as our banking partners is an incredibly successful outcome. Both institutions have long experience and excellent reputations in the aircraft financing business, and we are keen to build long-term relationships with them.  This strong demonstration of confidence in Air Pacific (soon to be ‘Fiji Airways’) indicates how highly international financing entities view Fiji’s national carrier and Fiji itself,” Pflieger added.

National airline Air Pacific is well on its way towards preparing to receive and fly its new A330 aircraft. The first lot of local pilots to fly the incoming A330s are undergoing training at the Airbus Training Facility in Miami, Florida, United States. The intensive six-week training will see the eight pilots get certified to fly the A330-200s. This transition training will cover everything from learning Airbus aircraft systems and fly-by-wire design philosophy to flight training in full motion and full visibility flight simulators.

It is expected that over fifty Air Pacific pilots will ultimately undergo the transition training process that is required to move them from flying B747 / 767 / 737 aircraft into the new Airbus A330s, which will arrive this March (19TH), May and November.

“Once local pilots have completed their A330 transition training and passed their theory examinations and regulatory check-rides, they will then start flying the new aircraft and getting their initial operating experience with the assistance of experienced instructors from Airbus as well as other highly qualified and experienced A330 pilots and instructor pilots from overseas,” said Air Pacific Chief Pilot Captain Josua Cavalevu.

“Once local pilots have completed their A330 transition training and passed their theory examinations and regulatory check-rides, they will then start flying the new aircraft and getting their initial operating experience with the assistance of experienced instructors from Airbus as well as other highly qualified and experienced A330 pilots and instructor pilots from overseas,” said Air Pacific Chief Pilot Captain Josua Cavalevu.

Air Pacific’s management pilots have already undergone training at the Airbus Headquarters and manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France. This will be the first time the national carrier will fly Airbus aircraft.

Arrival of new aircraft will provide passengers with improved schedule and more options to experience enhanced comfort and entertainment features of new A330.

Air Pacific, Fiji’s national carrier, has released an updated network schedule, highlighting routes to be served with its soon-to-arrive A330 aircraft. The arrival of new aircraft will also result in increased frequencies to Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles throughout 2013.

The first A330 commercial flight will provide passengers with a ‘pre-Fiji Airways’ sneak peak’ of the airline's 24 business and 249 economy class seats, between Nadi, Fiji and Auckland, New Zealand on April 2nd.

The ‘pre-Fiji Airways sneak peek’ flights will provide passengers with an exciting opportunity to fly on the new A330 with its enhanced level of comfort and new in-flight entertainment, before the carrier changes its name offers a new service model and re-brands to become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June 2013.

While the revised schedules reflect an earlier than expected delivery date of the airline's first A330 from Airbus, other highlights of the changes include:

New Zealand – Fiji

- A330 service from Nadi to Auckland five times a week from April to July

Australia - Fiji

- A330 service from Nadi to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
- Brisbane will be the first city in Australia to see the A330 on April 21st, with the A330 flying there five times a week until July
- Sydney A330 flights start on June 8th. Weekly flights by A330 and B737 aircraft will increase from 13 to 14 in September, offering customers a double daily every day of the week and up to 17 flights a week during the peak season.
- The first Melbourne A330 flight will be in December. Combined A330 and B737 frequencies will increase from 5 to 6 in the December peak period.

Hong Kong – Fiji

- The A330 will begin flights to Hong Kong starting on April 4th, flying there every Thursday and Saturday, with the last B747 flight taking place at the end of March. A third A330 flight will be added in January 2014 following the arrival of the airline's third new A330.

United States – Fiji

A330s to Los Angeles and new B737 departure times to Honolulu

- The United States will see its first A330 flight to Los Angeles on July 1st. The current schedule of four B747 flights a week to LAX will be replaced with a mix of A330 and B747 services offering extra frequencies until November when the A330s will fully take over the route with daily service (7 flights per week). In addition, during peak travel periods, weekly flights will increase to 8 flights a week.
- Honolulu (via Apia) B737 flights will now depart Nadi at 13:35, instead of the current departure time of 20:50
- With the extra flights and an improved schedule, passengers will have more connecting flight opportunities via stop-over or continuation flights to Australia, New Zealand, the US and Hong Kong and nearby Pacific Islands.

In addition, extra flights will allow better connections to intra-Fiji destinations, via Air Pacific’s subsidiary carrier Pacific Sun, offering visitors to Fiji even better opportunities to spend more time in Fiji’s stunning outer islands like Taveuni, Vanua Levu (Savusavu), Kadavu, and the Mamanuca, Yasawa, and Lau group islands.

Full details of the airline's new schedule can be found in the airline’s published worldwide schedule and on the internet at www.airpacific.com.

“The entire Air Pacific team is thrilled about the opportunity to start showing our regular customers and new visitors to Fiji our new state-of-the-art A330s in just 41 days,” said David Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director & CEO."

“While our goal has always been to offer our customers the best flying experience in the Pacific, our new planes are going to make a huge difference in our ability to deliver on that promise, and we will be revealing even better service and other surprises when we officially become ‘Fiji Airways’ later this year.”

The airline's new A330s are expected to be flying billboards for Fiji, and their stunning new livery, interiors, seats, lighting and in-flight entertainment will make a dramatic difference in making customers feel like they are already in Fiji on vacation as soon as they step on-board.

The plane's new interior uses muted tones inspired by the Fijian islands’ elegant yet earthy beauty, and the exterior livery draws its inspiration from a striking new Masi symbol designed by local artist Makereta Matemosi, originally from the island of Namuka-I-Lau in the eastern Fiji islands.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the new aircraft are the first wide-bodied, modern aircraft the airline has ever purchased and their new engines will emit 40% less CO2, allowing Fiji's national airline to substantially reduce its carbon footprint.

By the end of 2013, Air Pacific will have retired its B747s, repainted and upgraded all of its B737s, rolled out new uniforms, and introduced a number of new customer service enhancements to reflect and elevate the new brand of ‘Fiji Airways’.

New Airbus A330s will be “Flying Ambassadors” for Fiji in 2013

Air Pacific, Fiji’s national airline, 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 motifs will represent 'Fiji Airways'. The distinctive Teteva symbol 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 motif, on the aircraft engine, symbolises the warm greeting Fijians extend to visitors, while the Makare motif, which appears around the border of the Teteva on the tail, evokes 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.

-ENDS-

E-media kits and additional information

• Remarks by David H. Pflieger Jr, Managing Director & CEO, Air Pacific Limited

• A330 Seat Information

• Air Pacific Update Flyer

• Fiji Airways Livery Images

• Wings Of Hope

• Biography - AIYAZ SAYED-KHAIYUM

• Biography - DAVID H. PFLIEGER JR.

• Biography - MAKERETA MATEMOSI

• Biography - NALIN PATEL

• Biography - VOREQE BAINIMARAMA

As Fiji’s national airline, we believe our “wings of progress” should provide “Wings Of Hope” to help our nation’s most precious resource –  its children – soar.  To find out more about Wings of Hope, our charity to support Fiji’s neediest children, and how you can join us in the important cause, please watch the following video

AIR PACIFIC REVEALS NEW BRANDMARK FOR ‘FIJI AIRWAYS’

New airline symbol embodies Fijian culture & people.

Air Pacific, Fiji’s international airline, today revealed the new brandmark that will be used to represent the carrier when it relaunches as ‘Fiji Airways’ in 2013.

The unveiling of the airline’s new brandmark is the latest milestone in a series of initiatives that are part of Air Pacific’s restructuring and rebranding, which will start its final phase in early 2013 when the airline returns to its 1951 name of ‘Fiji Airways’ and welcomes the first of three brand-new A330s.

At the heart of the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brandmark is a striking new Masi symbol that epitomises Fiji and enhances the new name of Fiji’s national carrier – Fiji’s flying ambassador to the world. Designed by a renowned local Fijian Masi artist, the new symbol in the brandmark brings Fiji’s culture and heritage to life by linking the name ‘Fiji Airways’ with this highly respected and traditional art form that has been a part of Fijian culture for several centuries. To create this distinctive Fijian symbol, the airline carefully selected celebrated local Fijian Masi artist, Makereta Matemosi, who has been practicing this uniquely Fijian art for 32 years - to create a unique Masi design for ‘Fiji Airways’. At the centre of the new Masi symbol is a distinctive Teteva motif, which symbolises the airline, its values, and the spirit of Fiji. As an integral part of the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brand, this Teteva was designed to represent spirituality, consideration of others, Fijian hospitality, and the connection that ‘Fiji Airways’ will offer between Fiji’s 333 islands and the rest of the world.

“It was over a year ago that we started work on this ambitious project to re-brand our airline and design a new brandmark for the new ‘Fiji Airways’. While the new name had a lot of history associated with it, we decided that we wanted a new and distinctly Fijian symbol and brandmark that would help us best represent the country while also ensuring our planes stand out at some of the world’s busiest international airports. In short, we wanted a flying billboard for Fiji and its stunning 333 islands in the South Pacific”, said David Pflieger, Air Pacific’s CEO and Managing Director.

“Fiji is universally well known for its stunning natural beauty and amazing people, but what is not so well known is its centuries-old culture that offers visitors an opportunity to not only unplug from their hectic day-to-day lives but lose themselves in the tranquillity of Fiji’s South Pacific authenticity. As Fiji’s national airline, we think the distinctive Masi symbol, the brandmark and their colour tones are a perfect fit with Fiji’s heritage, and the beauty and warmth of the Fijian people and the islands themselves,” Mr. Pflieger added. According to the artist, the new Masi design captures all that is unique about the airline and the Fijian experience.

“What I’ve created is something entirely different, and has never been seen in any of the Masi designs in Fiji,” Matemosi explained. “I hope this Masi symbol means a lot to our nation, our people, and our visitors, because we are proud of our country and proud of the new ‘Fiji Airways’” she added. Today’s announcement marks another important milestone in the continued turnaround of Fiji’s national carrier, an effort that has already been marked by an aircraft order for new Airbus A330 aircraft, selection of new Rolls-Royce’s Trent 700 engines, the addition of a new Boeing 737-800, increased flights between Fiji and Sydney, and many other improvements to the airline’s world-renowned product and services.

The final phase of Air Pacific’s revitalisation and modernisation will begin with the delivery of the airline’s new fleet of A330 which arrive in Fiji in March, May, and November of 2013. All three of the planes will arrive with the airline’s new brand identity and colour scheme which will be fully revealed on October 10th in conjunction with Fiji Day the celebration of Fiji’s independence day. The full re-branding is due to be complete by the end of 2013, by which time the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brand will roll out across the marketplace, ticket offices, check-in counters, airport lounge facilities, and the airline’s official website.

Stay tuned to www.fijiairways.com for updates.

THE FIJI AIRWAYS’ REBRAND

Fiji’s national airline continues its exciting 360-degree transformation. Next year, as a part of the final phase of its comprehensive turnaround strategy, Air Pacific will return to its 1951 name of ‘Fiji Airways’ and undergo a complete rebrand designed to more closely align the airline with its proud Fijian heritage, and its role as Fiji’s largest inbound and outbound international carrier.

When it welcomes the first of its brand new A330s early next year, ‘Fiji Airways’ plans to offer a new world class experience that compliments Fiji’s richness as an aspirational and exotic holiday destination that has culture and natural beauty. As part of the rebrand, a new Fijian masi symbol has been designed to identify ‘Fiji Airways’ as it takes to the skies and represents the 333 beautiful islands of Fiji.

THE STORY BEHIND THE FIJI AIRWAYS MASI SYMBOL

A truly authentic brandmark and logo was commissioned to honour the airline’s proud past whilst celebrating its bright future.

Designed by a local artist, the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brandmark and logo originates from traditional Fijian Masi - a highly respected ancient art form that is woven into the very fabric of Fiji. It embodies the spirit of the nation; it is something pure and hand-made that truly reflects the Fijian people, their culture, and the airline’s transformation.

To create this distinctively Fijian brandmark, the airline engaged celebrated local Fijian Masi artist Makereta Matemosi to create a unique Masi symbol for ‘Fiji Airways’. The new Masi symbol features a series of specially designed motifs that carry individual meanings about the people of Fiji, their relationship with the stunning natural beauty of their islands and the country’s national airline. All the motifs in the new symbol build towards the core of the Masi which features the largest and most important motif - called the Teteva.

The Teteva is the centrepiece of our Masi, and this Teteva will be the symbol which will represent Fiji and ‘Fiji Airways’ around the world. Created by Makereta, the big circle has four crosses at four corners which indicate interconnection, just as ‘Fiji Airways’ connects people to the Fiji Islands. The inner circle reflects the spiritual values of the Fijian people - denoting the culture of caring and looking after each other as a community, just as the airline cares about its nation and strives to improve the quality of life for its people. The middle section of the Masi with sixteen petal shapes reflects people working hand-in-hand to create a stronger nation, just as the men and women of Fiji Airways work as a team to create a stronger airline.

The smaller circle inside reflects the Fijians’ friendly and welcoming nature to all visitors, and the airline’s role as Fiji’s proud ambassador to the world. Finally, the innermost part of the Teteva is the diamond, which is the most important part as it represents the love that the airline has for Fiji and all the customers it is privileged to serve. According to the artist, the Masi design captures all that is unique about the airline and the Fijian experience. Her love for Masi art stems from the deep meaning behind the enduring symbology. “What I’ve created is something entirely different, and has never been seen in any of the Masi designs in Fiji,” Matemosi explained. “I hope this Masi symbol means a lot to our nation, our people and our visitors, because we are so proud of our country and ‘Fiji Airways’”, she added.

Fijian Masi is said to contain the spirit of the land it comes from, the tree it was once part of, and the essence of the individuals who made it. In this same way, the new ‘Fiji Airways’ symbol will embody the strong cultural values of Fiji which the airline it is proud and honoured to represent.

WHAT IS MASI?

Fijian Masi is known as the ‘cloth of the gods’ and is used in significant life stages and formal ceremonies. It is a beautiful fibrous cloth made from the inner bark of the masi tree (also known as the mulberry tree) featuring finely detailed, skilfully stencilled geometric motifs (masikesa), carefully printed from the outer edges of the cloth into the centre heart of the cloth.

The two most traditional pigments used in Fijian masi dyes are soot, which creates a rich black colouring, and a mineral-rich clay called Umea, which creates a red-brown colouring. The motifs are traditionally then cut by hand from a banana leaf using a small knife. Once the dyes and motifs are ready, the printing begins by repeatedly pressing inked fingers through the stencil onto the masi cloth.

Traditional Masi embodies the spirit of Fijian culture. The motifs on traditional Masi have distinct meanings for the Fijian people and can be read and understood as a symbolic story. To learn more about Fiji Airways’ rebrand and see a video of Makereta describing her creative process.

To learn more about Fiji Airways’ rebrand and see a video of Makereta describing her creative process, please visit: www.fijiairways.com

REMARKS BY AIR PACIFIC CEO DAVE PFLIEGER

On the Launch of the Fiji Airways’ Brandmark

Honourable Prime Minister

Honourable Minister

Honourable Permanent Secretary Chairman of the Board of Air Pacific, soon to be Fiji Airways

Our very special guest – Makereta and her family

Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you for your attendance here today.

Your national airline is continuing its transformation journey and our plans are well underway to changing Air Pacific into Fiji Airways and becoming the preferred airline in the South Pacific. Our strategy is working. We are making great progress. And the world is taking notice. It is due to the tremendous work of the men and women of Air Pacific, and the loyalty of the customers that we are privileged to serve, that we’re getting more and more recognition, and the latest World Airline Awards rankings just placed us among the best in the region.

More excitingly, still are our preparations for the arrival of our three brand new A330s next year, the first of which is planned to arrive in March. Thus, with an improved network and schedule, a modernized fleet, and services and amenities we know our customers will value, that we feel confident that we will be able to offer the best air travel experience in the South Pacific. Given all that however, we felt that our new airline deserved a fresh new look. A look that appropriately reflects the pride and honour we feel as Fiji’s Ambassador to the World and the deep and important connection we have to all Fijians and Fiji’s beautiful islands. So today, it gives me great pleasure that we will be unveiling the new brandmark for ‘Fiji Airways’. We hope that after seeing it you will be as excited and inspired by it as we are. Before it is revealed, I’d like to share a little about the story behind our new identity, because the “why” and “how” of its creation contribute to the meaning and significance of the finished product.

When we started this process a little over a year ago, our goal was to create a new symbol that was distinctly Fijian and one that would stand out even at the most crowded international airport. To make sure our new brand would be distinctive and memorable, we gleaned insights from, Fijians, from visitors to Fiji, and from other airlines’ strategies to promote their brand experience. Not surprising to all of us who know and love Fiji and the warmth all Fijians, we confirmed that visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and China find Fiji a highly desirable destination for a few key reasons: its diverse natural beauty; its wide variety of experiences, it amazing people, its ability to provide an opportunity to lose and find yourself, and above all – its authenticity in all that it has or does. Harnessing these insights, we developed a list of requirements for our new identity:

• It had to be synonymous with Fiji as an aspirational and exotic destination.
• It had to evoke the promise of a unique experience, both culturally and naturally rich.
• It had to honour our airline’s proud past while promoting the promise of our bright future.
• It had to respect Fiji’s proud heritage and celebrate the spirit of its people.
• It had to be authentic.

With a tall order like this, we knew we could not take the usual creative development route and successfully meet our new brandmark’s requirements. So we rejected the normal corporate route and instead – asked a highly respected local Fijian artisan to help us create our new symbol. When this remarkable artist’s work is unveiled, please take note of its rich colour palette - colour tones which are as distinctive as the art form which it graces – beautiful, warm, natural, inviting – just like Fiji.

And now, it is my great honour to introduce the new identity for Fiji Airways and the inspired and very talented Fijian artist who created it. Please roll the video.

AIR PACIFIC TO RELAUNCH WITH NEW PARTNERS ONBOARD

Further enhancements announced today as part of airline's revitalisation strategy

Tuesday 15th May 2012 - Air Pacific, Fiji's national airline, continues to prepare for a significant relaunch in 2013 with the announcement today of three key strategic partnerships. The partnerships will further enhance international travellers' in-flight experience onboard the 'new', revitalised airline.

The news follows yesterday's major reveal that Air Pacific will relaunch with a rebrand, returning to its original name, 'Fiji Airways', when the airline's new Airbus330-200 fleet takes to the skies in June 2013. Announced today at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange (BFTE) in Fiji, the strategic partners selected by Air Pacific include Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), Zodiac company Weber Aircraft, and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company (SIAEC) who will all contribute their services or premium products to assist Air Pacific with the new aircraft.

"Air Pacific is delighted to announce a number of new partnerships that will allow us to provide passengers travelling to the South Pacific even more reasons to fly with us. We're working with Panasonic, Weber/Zodiac, and SIAEC and as part of our commitment to providing a world-class flying experience for our customers onboard the new A330-200s in 2013 and we're confident they will be impressed. These deals are consistent with our desire to work with the very best, as we continue to revitalise the airline and prepare to relaunch as 'Fiji Airways' next year," said Air Pacific's Managing Director and CEO David Pflieger.

Leading entertainment and communications provider, Panasonic, will install their eX2 in-flight entertainment system on the airline's new A330-200 aircraft. This is an industry leading in-flight entertainment system that includes on-demand audio/video, games, communications and applications that will be available in both Economy and Business Class.

Weber Aircraft has been selected to provide the seats for both Economy and Business Class on-board the new Airbus fleet. The models selected for the two classes have a number of design features to ensure optimal comfort for passengers in terms of space, ease of movement, and cushioning. Incorporating the Panasonic in-flight entertainment system, each seat will also have a USB and power outlet for computers, iPads, iPods, and similar devices.

With a focus on refreshing the look of Fiji's national carrier, SIAEC has been selected for its new A330-200s' cabin design and functionality. SIAEC will design the A330 interiors and do the specifications and quality inspections of the aircraft prior to their entry into service.

This week's announcements mark important milestones in the continued turnaround and revitalisation of the airline. In the last 12 months, the airline has ordered the three brand new A330-200 aircraft that will be powered by Rolls-Royce's Trent 700 engines, it has increased flights between Fiji and Sydney from 7 to 13 times weekly, and it has made investments in revitalising and modernising the airline's product and services, such as a newly refurbished Tabua Club Lounge at Nadi International.

"Air Pacific has a vision to become a best-in-class airline, and over the past 24 months we have made significant progress with our turnaround plan. The relaunch of Air Pacific in 2013 as 'Fiji Airways' marks an exciting new chapter for us. We will have an enhanced offering that will complement the gracious Fijian service that has won Air Pacific several awards. In the meantime, we hope our customers will continue to enjoy Air Pacific's current quality products and friendly service," said Mr Pflieger.

The new Airbus aircraft will be delivered in March 2013, and will fly to Fiji from Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles.

FIJI’S NATIONAL AIRLINE ACHIEVES ANOTHER MILESTONE IN TURNAROUND STRATEGY

New name, new aircraft, increased frequency, and improved product

The latest initiatives in the turnaround strategy of Air Pacific, Fiji’s National Carrier, have been revealed, including a rebranding of the airline and a return to its 1951 name of ‘Fiji Airways’.

Fiji Airways’ was the name of the airline between 1951 and 1970.  The name was changed to ‘Air Pacific’ in 1971 to reflect its greatly expanded regional presence.

The move is the latest in a series of initiatives that are part of a 360 degree review and restructure of the airline, which has seen the flag carrier reverse losses, improve its schedules and network, and make significant investments in new aircraft and its onboard product.

After posting an improved operating performance in FY 2010/11 (an operating loss of F$3.6 million compared to F$91.8 million in FY2009/10) the additional changes at the airline are part of the final phase of activities designed to return the airline to sustainable profitability.

‘Fiji Airways’ was the name of the airline between 1958 and 1970.  The name was changed to ‘Air Pacific’ in 1970 to reflect its greatly expanded regional presence.  The new move will see the airline more closely aligned with its proud Fijian heritage and its role as Fiji’s largest inbound and outbound airline.

“Globally there is high consumer awareness of Fiji as a holiday destination. We want to strengthen that association and also promote Fiji in every country we fly to. Returning to ‘Fiji Airways’ will better reflect our role as Fiji’s national carrier, and also assist Fiji by growing tourism and interest in the nation,” said David Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO. “Our airline is one of Fiji’s largest companies employing 800 people directly and an estimated 8,000 or so indirectly, and we fly in over 60% of all visitors who come to Fiji, so it only makes sense for us to embrace our uniquely Fijian culture and spirit, characteristics which have seen Fiji consistently recognised by consumers as one of the world’s friendliest countries and no doubt helped us win a recent award as one of the top ten small airlines in the world.”

Pflieger added, “Our rebranding is part of an overall turnaround plan – a plan that is working well and should, with continued focus and effort, help us thrive and grow as the preferred airline of the South Pacific.

“In 2010/2011 Air Pacific and Pacific Sun carried a combined 1.1million passengers on 15,000 flights. This represents a year-on-year increase of 37,000 additional passengers which helped increase revenue by F$40 million – at the same time non-fuel costs were reduced by F$13 million.

“With a strong offering of outstanding resorts, hotel properties and diverse activities, we see a lot of opportunity to grow the profile of Fiji as both a final destination and a stopover destination for our long-haul services to Los Angeles and Hong Kong.” 

“Our recent investment in new aircraft, a new inflight product, a new airport lounge, and better service, should also position us to capture more of Fiji’s high-end leisure travel market,” said Mr. Pflieger.

Today’s announcement marks another important milestone in the continued turnaround of Fiji’s national carrier, an effort that has already been marked by increased flights between Fiji and Sydney, an aircraft order for three brand new A330-200 aircraft, an order for Rolls-Royce’s Trent 700 engines, and other work focussing on revitalising and modernising the airline’s product and services.

Air Pacific’s transition to its new livery and brand will be a methodical and planned process, expected to be fully completed by the end of 2013. Air Pacific’s new fleet of A330-200’s, which are due to be delivered in 2013, will come equipped with the airline’s new brand and colour scheme, but the brand will be rolled out across the marketplace, ticket offices, check-in counters, airport lounge facilities, and the company’s official website and advertising over the upcoming 18 months.

Click to view video