Goodbye Air Pacific, Hello Fiji Airways

[greencoconut]

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 1958 name of 'Fiji Airways'.

...

'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.

Details: Air Pacific rebrands as Fiji Airways | Voxy.co.nz (http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/air-pacific-rebrands-fiji-airways/5/123330)

[propelled]

didn't see this thread..
heres link to video..
Fiji Airways Flying Soon in 2013 (http://www.fijiairways.com/)

[amc890]

I think the name Fiji Airways was first used in 1933

[73to91]

FIJI'S FRESH AIR

Air Pacific's chief executive, David Pflieger, seemed to have a less complicated job renaming his partly Qantas-owned airline.
Yesterday, the American said it was a straightforward decision to rename the airline ''Fiji Airways'', although he did toss up potential monikers such as ''Fiji Air'' and ''Fiji Airlines''.
''This dovetails perfectly with the history of the company, and becoming the national airline of Fiji,'' he said from Suva. ''We wanted the country's name in the airline.''
He pointed out ''Fiji'' was already emblazoned in smaller writing on the tails and noses of the airline's planes. ''It has been trying to become Fiji's national airline, now we are just saying, 'let's do it'.''


Read more: Stockland's fourth R is for redundancy (http://www.smh.com.au/business/stocklands-fourth-r-is-for-redundancy-20120514-1yn0t.html#ixzz1uuVyUahx)

[frigatebird]

All the Best, - Air Pacific, - What a Island concept.
Fiji Airways (Reborn) will have a proud lineage, if that is to be the name of the sucessor to that beaut little airline. Air Pacific, you've had your highs and lows in the past, but the time for being 'The Airline for all The Countys in the Region' has passed, as they now have their own Flagcarriers.
It was a Grand Idea, and it worked for a short while, but the World Turns, so you are right to concentrate on your own Local identity.
Air Pacific as a name in the Pacific will be missed, especially by those like myself with nostalgia, and the next to patent that name should wait a while out of respect for the fondly remembered departed.

[diddly squat]

Has this got anything to do with kicking QF out ?

[slamer.]

Well it's gotta be political ... cause it's a colossally dumb idea .!

[kinteafrokunta]

It's high time the good Commodore and his nation get rid of anything to do with the big penal island. His former police commissioner hired from the convict island tried to conspire with his kiwi counterpart to illegally detain the sitting Fijian leader in Wellington.

Fiji should source their expertise in the aviation field from Asia; China has made great progress in FANS which will serve Fiji well in the Oceanic airspace over the South Pacific without to deal with those insufferable anals from the big penal island. As Asians get more affluent, Fiji should target her tourist trade over there. Get to be Asian based, use their Indian connection to boost trade and tourism with the subcontinent. Get the Chinese, Koreans, Indians and Japanese to share their experience in the rapid development in the aviation and tourism sector. Move away from the anglo, aussie and Kiwi centric systems.

[slamer.]

Ummm ... you clearly have not used mainland china FAN's or WGS84.

[slamer.]

Air Pacific returning to original Fiji brand

5:30 AM Tuesday May 15, 2012

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201220/SCCZEN_140512SPLDAVID_220x147.jpgExpand (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pacific-islands/news/article.cfm?l_id=10&objectid=10805873#)
(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pacific-islands/news/article.cfm?l_id=10&objectid=10805873#)

(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pacific-islands/news/article.cfm?l_id=10&objectid=10805873#)David Pflieger, Air Pacific's Managing Director and CEO.

Air Pacific is hoping a new name and new look will reverse its fortunes.
It is reverting to its original name Fiji Airways - last used in 1970 - and getting new planes for its long-haul routes.
Air New Zealand has a small stake in the carrier, which has plunged into the red during the past two years, buffeted by fallout from the global financial crisis, increased competition and soaring fuel prices.
Its managing director and chief executive, David Pflieger, said he didn't understand why the airline did not make more of its national identity when he started work two years ago.
"It's something I didn't understand when I first got here, Pflieger said.
"We're the national airline, we carry people to and from Fiji, we're a destination airline - we need to be a flying billboard."
Last year the airline reported an operating loss of F$3.6 million ($2.5 million) compared with a F$91.8 million loss the year before.
It flies 12 times a week to New Zealand, as well as running services to other Pacific countries, Australia, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

A report by the Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation last year found that while still the largest carrier in the Fiji market, Air Pacific has struggled to compete since the arrival in 2009 of
Virgin Australia and Qantas subsidiary Jetstar, and has seen a 51 per cent erosion of its market share.
The airline says it retains more than a 60 per cent share of visitor traffic to Fiji.
Pflieger, a former US military and commercial pilot, started work two years ago and has launched major restructuring.
The Fijian Government owns 51 per cent, Qantas 46.3 per cent, Air New Zealand 1.94 per cent, Kiribati 0.27 per cent, Tonga 0.27 per cent, Samoa 0.15 per cent, and Nauru 0.08 per cent.
The new livery and brand will be launched in July and phased in during the next 18 months.
The airline's two Boeing 747-400s will be replaced by three new Airbus A330-200s, due to be delivered in 2013.

[slamer.]

Fiji Airways' new look

3:31 PM Wednesday Oct 10, 2012

Fiji Airways is unveiling a new livery today. Here's a look.

1 of 5


http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201241/FJ_frontexterior_lo_620x413.jpg



Air Pacific is unveiling a new look for their Airbus A330s fleet. Photos / Supplied

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201241/FJ_frontexterior_lo_gallery_70x70.jpg
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201241/FJ_fullexterior_2_lo_gallery_70x70.jpg
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201241/FJ_interior_6_TabuaClass_lo_gallery_70x70.jpg
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201241/FJ_interior_lo_gallery_70x70.jpg
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201241/FJ_lowerexterior_lo_gallery_70x70.jpg

[hoggsnortrupert]

Brilliant, rock on Fiji Airways:

One of the yanks better moves!

H/Snort:

PS: Who did he take the idea from?:8

[moa999]

for more pics from at least a week ago
Air Pacific's first Airbus A330 in new 'Fiji Airways' livery (new seats, too) - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller (http://www.ausbt.com.au/photos-of-air-pacific-s-first-airbus-a330-in-new-fiji-airways-livery-new-seats-cabin-interior-too)