Friday, 11 May 2018: Fiji Airways, Fiji’s National Airline, today officially welcomed the newest addition to its fleet. The Airbus A330-200, registration DQ-FJO, was named the ‘Island of Beqa’ in a ceremony officiated by Fijian Attorney General and Minister responsible for Civil Aviation, the Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

The aircraft arrived from Abu Dhabi recently and will be ready for commercial operations soon. It has 18 Business and 233 Economy Class seats, and features personal Inflight Entertainment screens in both cabins. The aircraft named is after the Island of Beqa located in Central Fiji off the coast of Pacific Harbour. The island is rich in tradition and folklore, and is home to the famous Fijian firewalkers, who have the unique ability to walk on white-hot stones.

Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Mr. Andre Viljoen said the airline named all its jet aircraft after Fijian islands.

“Our aim is to create as much awareness, and bring as much global attention as possible to the many unique features of Fiji,” Mr. Viljoen said.

“With this aircraft flying all over our network, thousands of people will see the ‘Island of Beqa’ name flying proudly alongside the Fijian flag. It will arouse curiosity among visitors and Fijians alike about the many special attributes of Beqa.”

The aircraft is on a short-term lease of four years, while Fiji Airways evaluates its future widebody fleet requirements. It will allow Fiji Airways to start direct flights to Tokyo starting July 3rd, and increase frequency to existing routes like Singapore and San Francisco.

The Attorney General congratulated the National Carrier for the addition to the fleet and the people of Beqa for having an aircraft named after their island.

“Fiji Airways is at the forefront of marketing Fiji,” the Hon. AG said. “This is the only company from Fiji that people in all these major cities [which Fiji Airways flies to] will see.”

The Fiji Airways jet fleet now increases to 10, with five A330s and five Boeing 737 aircraft. Its subsidiary Fiji Link has three ATR and four DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.