‘Island of Gau’ Coming Home Tomorrow
Boeing officially delivered its second 737 MAX 8 for Fiji Airways.
Island of Gau left the Boeing Delivery Centre for Nadi via Honolulu yesterday.
It will arrive here tomorrow midmorning.
Andre Viljoen, managing director and chief executive officer of Fiji Airways, in an earlier statement said: “The introduction of the 737 MAX is the beginning of a new chapter for Fiji Airways and we look forward to taking advantage of the airplane’s superior performance and economics. “These new airplanes will enable us to offer a world-class customer experience through the new Boeing Sky Interior cabins with inseat entertainment for all guests.”
Fiji Airways plans to take delivery of five MAX 8 airplanes, which will build on the success of its fleet of Next-Generations 737s. The MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other airframe enhancements to improve performance and reduce operating costs.
In addition to modernising its fleet, Fiji Airways will use Boeing Global Services to enhance its operations.
These services include Airplane Health Management, which generates real-time, predictive service alerts, and Software Distribution Tools, which empowers airlines to securely manage digital groundbased data and efficiently manage software parts.
The 737 MAX family is the fastestselling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating about 4,800 orders from more than 100 customers worldwide.
Boeing has delivered more than 200 737 MAX airplanes since May 2017. Sevens legend Waisale Serevi was present at the official hand over of the second Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft at the Boeing delivery centre in Seattle.
On the Fiji Airways Instagram page the Gau native said yesterday: Bula vinaka this is Waisale Serevi in Seattle, Washington. “It is an honour and a privilege to be in Seattle just in time to farewell the Island of Gau, the Boeing 737 MAX heading to Fiji in the next couple of minutes. “Thank you so much. I believe that the plane will do a good job for the people of Fiji especially Fiji Airways.
“I want to wish the Island of Gau all the best, safe travels and God bless the Island of Gau.”
Fiji Airways plans to take delivery of five MAX 8 airplanes, which will build on the success of its fleet of NextGenerations 737s.