Newly weds on board Fiji Airways Airbus A330 Liahn Heperi (left) with husband Wade Herewini at the Nadi International Airport. Photo SHEIK DEAN
By SHEIK DEAN
The five couples given the opportunity to officially declare their love in mid-air on board our national carrier flagship Airbus A330 arrived at the Nadi International Airport yesterday.
A unique inflight wedding onboard Airbus A330 in business class with was witnessed simultaneously after the aircraft departed Auckland Airport yesterday.
Miss World Fiji hosts couples
Miss World Fiji 2013 Caireen Erbsleben, welcomed the newly-wedded couples while a crowd gathered eagerly waiting for glimpses of them.
“This was a unique idea to get five couples married on board, in our bid to raise awareness of the new airline branding,” said acting chief executive Aubrey Swift.
Fiji itself is a great wedding and honeymoon destination, he added.
“With our new brand identity and service, based around an authentic Fijian experience, a couple’s Fijian wedding really can start the moment they set foot on board,’’ said Mr Swift.
The five couples were from Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch and the Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.
441 entries were received from couples entering the competition to take part.
Planning
Fiji Airways regional general manager NZ Shannon Currie said the in-flight wedding had taken several months to plan.
“Kiwis have such a strong connection to the Fiji Islands with many choosing to be married in Fiji, and many others spending their honeymoon there and this is why we wanted to do something truly memorable,’’ says Mr Currie.
Newly wedded Liahn Heperi and Wade Herewini said they were stunned by the announcement of tying the knot mid-air.
“The excitement even got bigger seeing the welcome reception and the friendly Fijian hospitality,’’ stressed Ms Heperi.
And for the newly-wed couples a two-night honeymoon was also included in the tropical paradise of Fiji at either the Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa Fiji, or Radisson BLU Resort Fiji Denarau Island.