FIJI FLIGHTS

The Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the services of two new airline companies in Fiji are welcomed.

Bainimarama says this will boost the Tourism Industry and Fiji’s economy.

V Australia and Continental Micronesia have introduced new routes to and from Fiji.

“Yes Fiji Government has welcomed the new airlines entering the Fiji market destination. This new flight will definitely bring in more seats for Fiji visitors wanting to visit our country and which means more options for tourists and more for flights so definitely it will be boost to our economy.”

Meanwhile the Tourism Fiji board chairman Patrick Wong has echoed similar sentiments saying this will attract Japanese tourists to Fiji.

“Would be an added boost, as you know Continental Micronesia services Guam and its connectivity from eight Japanese cities and basically from Japan to Guam, Guam – Nadi and Honolulu,” he said.

“As you know Japanese inbound into Guam there is a total of over 850, 000 Japanese visitor arrivals into Guam.” said Wong.

“So we hope to actually you know with the seat capacity allocated with Continental Micronesia will grow our Japanese market and investment to as well. No only in Japanese market we looking at the American market to as well,” he added.

Tourism to Fiji received a massive boost last Friday (Dec 18), when Virgin Blue’s long-haul international airline V Australia inaugurated services between Sydney and Nadi.

V Australia crew launch the new
flights at Sydney Airport

V Australia’s flights, which feature Premium Economy seating on the route for the first time, operate daily and complement existing direct Pacific Blue flights to Nadi from Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

“The launch signals the start of more options for travellers from Australia, with more seats in the market, more competitive pricing and more product range, from our luxurious award-winning international business class to our spacious premium economy and comfortable and affordable economy cabin,” said V Australia executive general manager Scott Swift.

“V Australia’s full service business and premium economy products are tailor-made for the conference and incentive market which will undoubtedly prove a catalyst for an increase in the top end leisure travel market to this region.

“We’re sure guests who have not previously had the opportunity to experience V Australia will be very pleasantly surprised with the space, facilities and service available in all three cabins onboard our brand new Boeing 777 aircraft,” he said.

To celebrate the launch, V Australia is offering one-way fares for $199 (economy), $469 (premium economy) and $649 (business) for sale until January 5, 2010.

V Australia’s new services come four months before Qantas’ low-cost offshoot Jetstar launches direct flights from Sydney to Nadi and open up Fiji to the conference market like never before.

The new flights have helped lift Fiji’s conference industry,

Air NZ will launch Sydney-Rarotonga in 2010

The services come hot on the heels of Air New Zealand’s direct Sydney-Rotorua (NZ) flights, which launched last week (Dec 12), will be operated once per week by Boeing 767-300 aircraft for a four month period between July and October.

Air New Zealand’s new services mark not only the first time Sydney and Rarotonga have been directly linked, but also signal inaugural direct services between the two nations.

“We already carry a large number of passengers between Australia and the Cook Islands via Auckland,” said Air New Zealand general manager Tasman Pacific airline, Glen Sowry.

“The Cook Islands, including Aitutaki, is a very attractive destination to Australian travellers looking for a unique South Pacific experience.

“The introduction of direct services will provide a valuable boost to the Cook Islands community and with the support of the Cooks Islands Government and Cook Islands Tourism we will be working hard to make this trial a success,” Sowry said.

With a significant number of options for hosting conferences and incentive trips, the Cook Islands is closer than ever with the new flights, which has reduced flight times to six hours from Sydney and just over seven hours from Rarotonga.

One-way airfares start from $487 ex-Sydney.

Continental Airlines begins new nonstop service from Honolulu and its Guam hub to Nadi, Fiji on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.

“Nadi is a popular vacation spot that attracts visitors from around the world and fits well with our portfolio of destinations throughout the Pacific,” said Jim Compton, Continental’s executive vice president of marketing. “We’ve scheduled the Fiji flights to conveniently connect with Continental’s flights from the U.S. mainland, Japan and Micronesia.”

Continental serves more destinations in the Pacific than any other U.S. carrier. In addition to the new Fiji service, Continental operates twice-daily flights between Houston and Honolulu, daily flights between New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu and between Honolulu at Guam, and three-times-weekly service between Honolulu and the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia.

During the busy holiday travel season, Continental will operate a third daily flight between Houston and Honolulu. Beginning March 7, 2010, Continental will add daily service between Los Angeles and Maui and Orange County and Honolulu, and four-times-weekly service between Orange County and Maui.

The new Fiji service is operated by Continental Micronesia using two-cabin Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 155 seats.

The flights from Honolulu International Airport (HNL) operate on Mondays and Fridays departing at 6:55 p.m. and arriving in Nadi International Airport (NAN) at 12:40 a.m. two calendar days later after crossing the International Date Line. Return flights operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays departing Nadi at 9:50 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 5:25 p.m. the previous day.

The flights from Guam’s A.B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) operate on Mondays and Fridays departing at 10:55 p.m. and arriving at Nadi at 8:30 a.m. the next morning. Return flights operate on Wednesdays and Sundays departing Nadi at 1:40 a.m. and arriving in Guam at 5:10 a.m. the same day.

Fiji, located in the heart of the South Pacific, is a group of more than 300 islands and atolls dotted across 200,000 square miles of sea. The islands are known for their picturesque coasts, tall coconut palms and brilliant turquoise lagoons fringed by coral reefs and white sandy beaches. Travelers from around the world visit Fiji for its pristine beauty, varied activities including diving and surfing, and relaxed lifestyle.

Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,400 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 130 domestic and 132 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which provides access to more than 900 additional points in 169 countries via 24 other member airlines. With more than 41,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World’s Most Admired Airline on its 2009 list of World’s Most Admired Companies.

“The World’s Friendliest Airline“.
Fiji’s National Airline, Air Pacific has launched its new brand showcasing the airline’s new tag line “The World’s Friendliest Airline”.

In the coming weeks, advertising featuring the airlines’ employees portraying the Fijian spirit, will launch.

Managing Director and CEO of Air Pacific John Campbell said that their motivation is to offer the best of Fiji to all their guests.

Campbell added that for Fiji customers travelling abroad, they do not leave Fiji until they step off the aircraft and for everyone coming into Fiji, they will make sure they feel at home the moment they step on board.

Air Pacific’s new positioning complements Tourism Fiji’s “Fiji Me” brand.