Fiji Airways carries about 70 percent of all visitors arriving in Fiji, making it one of the major contributors to the country's economy, particularly the tourism and trade sectors.
Fiji Airways Board Chairman Nalin Patel highlighted this while making submissions on the airline's 2024 Annual Report to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs.
Patel says the airline plays a significant role in connecting Fiji to the rest of the world and supporting the country's tourism industry.
He says Fiji Airways operates approximately 23 aircraft, most of which are modern, providing around three million passenger seats.
However, Patel says the challenge is to turn this available capacity into more visitors travelling to Fiji and staying in the country rather than simply transiting through.
He also highlighted accommodation capacity as a challenge in encouraging transit passengers to stay in Fiji.
Patel says Fiji Airways currently serves 36 international destinations and has strengthened its global connectivity through its full membership in the Oneworld, alongside major international airlines such as Qantas, British Airways, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways.
He says the partnership provides opportunities for Fiji Airways to work with larger airlines, improve its services and strengthen international connections.
