RACHNA LAL
SUVA
Fiji Airways has shortlisted two new Asian destinations, one of which the national airline plans to start flying to after the arrival of another new Airbus A330 in 2016.
Fiji Airways managing director/chief executive, Stefan Pichler, confirmed this to Sun Business. Mr Pichler, however, said he could not reveal the names of these two destinations at the moment.
This confirmation follows the latest announcement of the overhaul of its entire on-board flight experience which includes new meals, free inflight entertainment, new magazine and new duty free products.
“As I mentioned earlier, we are going to get another A330 in 2016 and this A330 will most certainly go to Asia,” Mr Pichler said.
“Now we have two destinations on short list. We still need to compare them and see what the partnerships can be done.
“Finally when we have done that, which we hope will be done by the end of this year, then we will know where to go.”
Hopes in Pacific
Whilst Fiji Airways plans to tap into the Asian market, it is not forgetting the region.
Mr Pichler once again reiterated the airline’s commitment to enhance it’s South Pacific Network.
He referred to talks with Samoa the past week where there are plans to expand the services.
But, Mr Pichler highlighted: “Some of these new routes destinations also link to Air Service Agreements with the countries.
“So when there is Air Service Agreement between the countries, then we can fly. When there is none, or something restricting us, we can’t.
“Politicians and the Government has to work hand-in-hand with us to enable us to do this.”
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