Fiji Airways’ international and domestic network expansion will continue in 2024, says the company’s chief marketing and customer officer Akuila Batiweti.
Mr Batiweti was a panellist at the Fiji Tourism Convention 2023 last week and spoke about Fiji Airways’ growth in the local and overseas routes.
He said the national carrier planned to add more domestic and overseas services, including a long-haul flight and several more short-haul flights.
In 2022, Fiji Airways launched the Vancouver long-haul route.
This year, they relaunched Japan and started flights to Noumea, New Caledonia.
At least two to three new destinations will be added in 2024, Mr Batiweti said.
Mr Batiweti noted the airline’s expanding international routes impacted the domestic market and decisions regarding the scheduling of flights.
Fiji Airways flies to Savusavu, for example, up to five times a day during the week, according to Mr Batiweti, who added that an additional flight, if necessary, would be provided to cater to demand from travellers from North American destinations.
He said growth in flights to Savusavu, Taveuni, and the North was up 36 per cent versus 2019.
“We’re looking to do more,” Mr Batiweti said.
This region attracted less than five per cent of visitors to Fiji according to the International Visitor Survey 2022, but were some of the highest-spending visitors, said Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Salaseini Daunabuna.
“There’s a lot of potential,” she said about the market.
Partnerships
Fiji Airways’ partnerships with notable global sporting brands are strategic, aligning with the company’s mission to penetrate big markets.
Melbourne is a key growth market for Fiji Airways, Mr Batiweti said, which is why the airline joined forces with NRL club the Melbourne Storm in Australia.
“It (Melbourne) has a population with a high propensity to spend,” he said and noted that the airline ran 10 flights a week to the Australian city.
The LA Galaxy sponsorship established Fiji Airways as an official partner of the club and that decision was also driven by the goal of bringing more Americans to Fiji.
Mr Batiweti said the airline expanded capacity by over 50 per cent more seats in the US this year versus 2019.
In 2024, Mr Batiweti said Fiji Airways will announce two more “big sponsorships” in the US as part of the larger strategy for this market.
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