Fiji Airways first Airbus A330. Image from Fiji Airways.
I love a good story on an airline’s name change, an updated livery or taking delivery of a new aircraft type. What can I say about one story that incorporates all three? That is what you get with Air Pacific changing their name (and livery) to Fiji Airways and taking delivery of their first Airbus A330.
The aircraft, named Island of Taveuni, was delivered from Toulouse France via Hong Kong to Nadi, Fiji. The A330 will be used to replace the older Boeing 747-400’s operated by Air Pacific. The new plane will offer 40% less CO2 emissions, which also means a reduction in fuel costs. The plane is configured with 24 business and 249 economy class seats.
BONUS: Check out our story on Fiji Airways from October 2012
Although the airline has already taken delivery of their new plane with the new name on the side, the official name change won’t happen and the aircraft won’t enter full service until June 2013.
Fiji Airways Airbus A330 receives a water cannon salute. Photo from Fiji Airways.
Fiji Airways expects to take delivery of their second A330 in May and the third in November. They will retire their 747-400s and update their 737s with the new brand by the end of 2013.
’œThe 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.
CATCH MORE FIJI AIRWAYS GOODNESS:
- Video detailing the thought and history behind the new look
- Photo gallery of the new A330 interior via Jaunted
- Exterior photos of the Fiji Airways A330 from Jaunted
- A first hand account of seeing the new A330 by Jaunted
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This story written by… David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder. David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. |
Loving The New Fiji Air Bu
A BIG VINAKA VAKALEVU to all the management staff for all the efforts in Creating and Renaming the Fiji New AirBus
It is Really Beautiful………..