Air Pacific is lifeline to tourism industry
The arrival of a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft signifies a milestone for Air Pacific’s move to change not just its image but to position itself in the 21st century as a modern aircraft national carrier, says the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
“It must be recognised that Air Pacific is the lifeline to tourism in Fiji,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“Thirty one per cent of Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product, if not more comes, from tourism. It is therefore imperative we ensure that all different facets within the tourism sector are working well.”
These facets include improvements in road, water supply, working terms and conditions of tourism industry staff and proper incentives for hotel operators.
Water salute
The acting Prime Minister also said the Bainimarama Government was extremely supportive of the changes that were taking place within Air Pacific.
“Government has a long term view, a vision of how Fiji needs to position itself,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“We should not be positioning ourselves only for next year or the next five years. We should be looking at 10 to 20 years ahead.”
The increased or doubling frequency of flights between Australia and Fiji in January next year will be a means of job security and job creation because more people will be required to work on flights.
“By having a long term perspective of where we want to be, we will be able to plan ourselves better, provide a modern fleet of aircraft and offer not just good services but infrastructure as well,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Air Pacific managing director and chief executive Mr Dave Pflieger said the addition of the new Boeing 737-800 to their fleet would increase services to Sydney by almost 50 per cent, to 13 flights per week.
“That means your long awaited requests for more convenient morning and afternoon departures to Fiji and morning and evening returns to Australia will become a reality in January,” Mr Pflieger said.
The new aircraft is named Mamanuca. The last aircraft for Air Pacific to purchase was in 2003.
“It must be recognised that Air Pacific is the lifeline to tourism in Fiji,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“Thirty one per cent of Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product, if not more comes, from tourism. It is therefore imperative we ensure that all different facets within the tourism sector are working well.”
These facets include improvements in road, water supply, working terms and conditions of tourism industry staff and proper incentives for hotel operators.
Water salute
The acting Prime Minister also said the Bainimarama Government was extremely supportive of the changes that were taking place within Air Pacific.
“Government has a long term view, a vision of how Fiji needs to position itself,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“We should not be positioning ourselves only for next year or the next five years. We should be looking at 10 to 20 years ahead.”
The increased or doubling frequency of flights between Australia and Fiji in January next year will be a means of job security and job creation because more people will be required to work on flights.
“By having a long term perspective of where we want to be, we will be able to plan ourselves better, provide a modern fleet of aircraft and offer not just good services but infrastructure as well,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Air Pacific managing director and chief executive Mr Dave Pflieger said the addition of the new Boeing 737-800 to their fleet would increase services to Sydney by almost 50 per cent, to 13 flights per week.
“That means your long awaited requests for more convenient morning and afternoon departures to Fiji and morning and evening returns to Australia will become a reality in January,” Mr Pflieger said.
The new aircraft is named Mamanuca. The last aircraft for Air Pacific to purchase was in 2003.
Acting PM, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum disembarking after inspecting the interior of the Air Pacific's new Boeing 737-800
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