Fiji Airways inaugural flight to Vancouver, Canada was bid farewell from the Nadi International Airport marking the commencement of the national carrier’s newest direct international service.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen is encouraging Canadians to take advantage of these twice weekly flights to enjoy the world-renowned Fijian hospitality.
Viljoen says their Five-Star airline, and multi-award winning onboard experience, including meals, amenities and staff service offer the best value for money.
He says with Canada well into winter and travellers eagerly looking for warm tropical paradise, the timing of their newest route could not be better, there is no other choice than Fiji.
The CEO says people do not have to take his word for it as they will be convinced the moment they step onboard.
Viljoen says in the lead up to this flight, more and more Canadians have been showing an interest in the new service, indicating that there is a demand which Fiji Airways can tap into.
The CEO says the inaugural return flight from Vancouver to Nadi has a seat load factor of 88%,that’s huge given that they have only just entered the market.
He says it is also great news for our tourism industry as well.
Viljoen says they are creating a pathway for an entirely new segment, which has seen very little traction over the years.
He says Canada currently averages fifth on the list of monthly visitor arrivals, there is enormous untapped potential in a country that had more than 12 million residents travelling internationally in 2019.
The CEO says now that flights have commenced, their guests will be able to experience for themselves what sets the national carrier apart.
Viljoen says they will see that they are committed to Working As One To Deliver Exceptional Fijian Experiences at every point of their journey.
He says he is confident that many of them will become champions and spread the message that Fiji Airways should be the airline of choice for Canadians visiting Fiji’s shores.
The CEO says the inaugural flight to Vancouver is carrying Fijians who are travelling to a new country for the first time, and those visiting their friends and family after many years apart.
He says the absence of a direct flight made it too expensive and too inconvenient to make the 9,500 kilometre journey.
Viljoen says they have brought friends and family closer, and made accessible a new country, for Fijians to explore.
He says the new route also provides convenient onward connections between Australia, New Zealand and Canada as well as seamlessly connecting other Pacific Island countries.
The CEO says travellers can take a well deserved break in Fiji before flying on to their next destination.
He says their Extra Wide-body Airbus fleet also provide more capacity for cargo, enabling an increase in trade between Fiji and Canada, as well as other Pacific Island nations looking for new trade opportunities.
The CEO says goods that used to take up to a week to reach Canada, or from Canada to Fiji, can now be transported overnight, opening up new possibilities for agricultural exports, and the import of goods that cannot be sourced locally.
He says farmers from the Sigatoka Valley, Ba and Fiji Agro Marketing Authority have either already committed to exports or are strategising.
The CEO says the airline has also held talks with the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji to ensure that a regulatory pathway is open for exports with BAF’s counterpart in Canada.
He forecasted that every flight exporting 15 tonnes of produce including fresh and frozen vegetables such as Taro and Cassava, and frozen seafood such as fish,crabs, and Kava is also highly sought after.
Viljoen says on the return leg from Vancouver to Nadi, the forecast is for 10 tonnes of imports per flight made up of seasonal fruits, vegetables and seafood such as salmon and king crabs.
He says this gives everyday Fijians and our hospitality sector consistent and quick access to a wider range of world-class produce from Canada, addressing many of the supply issues that hotels and resorts have had to deal with.
The National airline will fly to and from Vancouver every Monday and Friday.
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