FJ to expand new routes

FIJI Airways is planning a steady expansion into new regions, aiming to launch one new route each year in tandem with its fleet modernisation.

At the Fijian Tourism Expo, the airline’s executive gm of sales and marketing Andrew Stranbury said FJ’s future growth would be driven by new routes, a modernised fleet and an expanded codeshare network.

New destinations such as Singapore and San Francisco, both launched last year, would be backed by increased frequencies in New Zealand and the addition of direct Adelaide services in Jun.

“Through these efforts we are really starting to bring more of the world to Fiji,” Stranbury said.

“We’re a small airline but an ambitious airline, and we’re changing the size and shape of our airline.”

He said the recent announcement of Adelaide flights in addition to east coast airports had been well received.

“I think we’ve got a good product for SA and we’re very pleased with early demand, and it’s now building,” Stranbury said.

Although launching as a twice weekly-service, ADL flights will be downgraded to once weekly during off-peak periods, with a view to growing to greater regularity.

“Our goal is to introduce a new route each year. Last year we introduced two, this year we introduce Adelaide and we want to keep that up,” he said.

Stranbury said other codeshares such as the recently announce Jet Airways partnership via Singapore ( TD 08 Mar) would provide a further boost in pax numbers.

From next year FJ will begin replacing its aging fleet of five Boeing 787-700 and 800 aircraft with five new Boeing 787 MAX 8, at a cost of US$550 million.