NADI — Fiji Airways has welcomed its newest Airbus A350 to its fleet, increasing capacity for long haul flights to top destinations, including Vancouver.

The new A350-900XWB, named the Island of Beqa, will add more capacity to the airline’s leading source markets of Australia and New Zealand, as well as for long-haul flights to Vancouver, San Francisco and Hong Kong, its current gateway to China.

To celebrate the arrival of the new aircraft, Fiji Airways is offering significant discounts on return economy airfares to Fiji and beyond until Aug. 31, 2023, for select travel dates.

According to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen, the new aircraft is part of Fiji Airways’ ‘5 Game Changer Strategies’ to modernize its fleet.

“The A350, with its superior cabin, significant fuel savings and substantial cargo capacity, has fast become the pride of our airline and the joy of our passengers,” said Viljoen. “The Island of Beqa is brand new, having been put into storage immediately after manufacturing. We were able to negotiate a lucrative deal to acquire it.”

Viljoen added that the aircraft combines the latest aerodynamics with new generation engines and uses lightweight materials to bring a 25% advantage in fuel burn, carbon dioxide emissions and operating costs compared to previous generation aircraft.

“Fiji Airways brings in 70% of all visitors to Fiji. We are crucial to the long-term sustainable growth of the tourism industry, which is 45% of our gross domestic product and the largest employer in the country,” Viljoen added. “As the national airline, we recognize our role is not just to be the bridge to and from the world, but to support the growth of tourism. One of the ways we can do this is by introducing new destinations with potential for high tourism opportunities.”

The Airbus A350, noted Viljoen, is able to explore new destinations much further than the airline’s current network. For example, it’s capable of flying much deeper into Canada and the United States and beyond, with possible destinations like Dallas, Seattle, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, and also Noumea, Wallis, Rarotonga, Port Moresby and more in Australia.

For more information go to www.fijiairways.com.