From left: Air Pacific Asia sales executive Nicolas Hon, Air Pacific manager public relations and communication Shane Hussein, Air Pacific executive general manager operations Brett Gebers, Air Pacific regional general manager Australia, New Zealand and Asia Victor Sharan and Air Pacific general manager Asia Watson Seeto during the Hong Kong Business 2011 High-Flyers Award Presentation ceremony at the Azure Restaurant Slash Bar in Hong Kong. Photo: Ajesh Raj in Hong Kong

By Ajesh Raj in Hong Kong

National airline Air Pacific today climaxes a spectacular, award-winning week in Hong Kong with a flight into a bigger, better future.
The first of its Boeing 747-400 flights operates from Nadi to Hong Kong and return.
The more customer friendly Boeing 747-400s replace the Boeing 767-300 which previously operated Nadi-Hong Kong-Nadi.
The veteran Boeing 767-300 aircraft has been retired from the Air Pacific fleet as part of a continuing upgrade.
Air Pacific manager public relations and communications Shane Hussein explained the efforts Air Pacific had put into the Boeing 747-400 launch in the busy Hong Kong market and travel hub.
Mr Hussein said: “Air Pacific together with the Conservatorium of Music (Kabu Ni Vanua) cultural group have been spreading a little bit of the iTaukei spirit here in Hong Kong.
“The group serenaded and had impromptu meke performances in some of the busiest areas of Hong Kong on Monday, which included Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok.
“Their performances were well received by the people here, with many of them taking pictures with the group.
“At the same time Air Pacific staff distributed flyers which directed people to the discoverfiji.hk website and Facebook page, and they had a chance to win a free trip for two to Fiji, inclusive of meals and accommodation provided by Mana Island Resort.

Partners
“We’ve had great support from our partners for this week long exercise in Hong Kong.
“These include Namale Fiji Resort and Spa, Likuliku Lagoon Resort Fiji, Mana Island Resort, Jacks of Fiji, FIJI Water and Tourism Fiji, who have all pitched in for great prizes and giveaways.
I’d like to thank them for this outstanding support.
“On Tuesday, Air Pacific received the Hong Kong Business High Flyers Award.
“We had also arranged with the organisers of the awards ceremony, for the Conservatorium of Music cultural group to perform at the awards ceremony.
“They delivered an outstanding, spirited meke performance showcasing the richness in iTaukei culture.
“Their performance, a first of its kind at this awards ceremony, was extremely well received by the event organisers and members of the Hong Kong business community who were in attendance.
“On Wednesday we launched Air Pacific’s introduction of its Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet aircraft into the Hong Kong – Nadi route, in front of top travel agents, industry and trade partners as well as travel, tourism and business press in Causeway Bay.
“During this launch event, the Conservatorium of Music cultural group again provided entertainment in the form of a meke, as well as a tapa printing and kava preparation ceremony.
“This is all designed to showcase to key partners in Hong Kong a bit of Fijian culture, and what Chinese visitors can expect when they visit Fiji.
“I must thank the Conservatorium of Music cultural group who are here with us.
“They have been excellent ambassadors for Fiji on this trip, and their energetic and uplifting performances have been eye-catching and is inspirational.”
Air Pacific in using its larger Boeing 747-400 results in increased seat and cargo capacity on this important route.
“This is consistent with our commitment and enhanced focus on China,” said David Pflieger, Air Pacific’s managing director and chief executive officer in a statement yesterday.
“Hong Kong is an amazing city and a fantastic gateway to the rest of Asia, as well as the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“Hong Kong airport has consistently been ranked among the best in the world, adding to its attractiveness,” he said.
The new schedule and aircraft upgrade means Air Pacific’s flights will now depart Nadi at 9:30am Thursdays and Saturdays arriving into Hong Kong at 2:50pm.
They will depart Hong Kong at 4:30pm the same day, returning to Nadi at 7:40am the next day.
Mr Pflieger who has been driving the airline’s fleet upgrade-said as soon as 18 months from now, Hong Kong and other Chinese visitors can expect to be flying to Fiji on the airline’s new Airbus A330-200s.”

Office
Mr Pflieger said Air Pacific has also opened an office in Hong Kong to manage strategic marketing and sales partnerships in Hong Kong, China and South-east Asia.
“We have also undertaken extensive new joint marketing campaigns with Tourism Fiji and other partners to increase the awareness of Fiji and all that our South Pacific Island nation has to offer,” he  said.
At the Awards
Representing Air Pacific in receiving the Hong Kong Business High Flyers Award were:

• Brett Gebers, chief operating officer and executive general manager operations of Air Pacific (who accepted the award on behalf of the airline);
• Victor Sharan, regional general manager Australia, New Zealand and Asia
• Watson Seeto, regional general manager Asia from Hong Kong;
• Shane Hussein, Air Pacific manager public relations and communication
• Nicholas Hon, sales executive Hong Kong;
• Cecil Ledger, Air Pacific marketing from Nadi.