Fijian Flag Carrier, Fiji Airways has announced that the airline is now a full member of the oneworld alliance, the world’s third largest airline alliance.
The airline, which already flies to 108 destinations, will now be part of an alliance that counts British Airways and Qatar Airways as members.
Formally named Air Pacific, Fiji Airways is the first new member of oneworld since Alaska Airlines joined in 2021.
Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, said:
“Becoming a full member of the oneworld alliance is a proud and momentous milestone for Fiji Airways. This achievement reflects our commitment to providing world-class service and expanding our global reach, while showcasing the warmth and hospitality of Fiji to the world. As a full member, we are excited to offer our customers even greater benefits and seamless connectivity across the extensive oneworld network. We look forward to welcoming more oneworld customers onboard to experience the beauty of Fiji and the exceptional service of Fiji Airways.”
Indeed, it is a period of expansion for the oneworld alliance, with both Oman Air (having initially set to join in 2024) and Hawaiian Airlines joining the group that is already used by 490 million passengers.
Who Are Fiji Airways?
Fiji can trace their history back to Australian Aviator Harold Gatty, who founded the airline as Katafaga Estates Ltd – after the coconut farm Gatty owned on the eastern island.
The first flight took place in September 1951, as a domestic flight between the capitol city of Suva and Lautoka on board a de Havilland Dragon Rapide, with the first international flight taking place in 1973, to Brisbane.
In the meantime, with the death of Gatty in 1971, Fiji Airways were bought out by Australia’s Qantas Airways.
Throughout the 1970s, Fiji’s tourism industry exploded, with the Fijian government starting to buy shares in Fiji Airways, and following the nation’s independence from Great Britain, renamed the airline Air Pacific to reflect the company’s growing influence in the region.
Indeed, as Fiji’s reputation as a tourist destination grew throughout the 1970’s and ‘80s, the government’s shareholding grew consistently, up to 80% in 1993.
By the middle of the 2000’s, there was a push for the airline to revert to its original name, and following the purchase of Fijian regional airline, Sun Air, the airline was rebranded back to Fiji Airways in 2012 – with the belief that the new/old name better reflected the country and would be easier to find on search engines.
Have you flown Fiji Airways, or will you be in the future? Let us know in the comments.
