Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350 Island of Vanua Levu was one of the aircraft that has undergone the COVID-19 short term ready for flight storage programme.

This was explained by executive general manager, customer experience, corporate affairs and Fiji Link, Shaenaz Voss, during an interview at the Nadi International Airport, after the FJ50 flight.

Fiji Airways celebrated the country’s 50th year of Independence with a special FJ50 ‘Flight against cancer’ with 66 passengers onboard its flagship A350-900XWB aircraft.

Ready for flight

The flight was part of the airline’s short-term ‘ready for flight’ storage programme.

“Firstly we are committed to the environment and conservation and would not operate a flight for the sake of it.,” she said.

“Our Airbus A350, which is our newest aircraft has been in our COVID-19 short-term ‘ready for flight’ storage programme.

“The programme requires periodic planned flights to ensure the aircraft is ready to return to commercial service rapidly when required.

System checks

“We were doing some system checks which were mooted to be done early this month, so we thought you know why not do it for the Fiji50 special flight.

“The other aircraft in the storage programme have also undertaken this periodic flight requirements, but this one happens to be on a very special day.

“We approached the periodic flight requirements and we realised we could use it for something special like the Fiji50, because this is an important milestone in the country’s history.

“We’re an integral part of the country’s economy.

“So it makes sense for us to take an operational necessity and turn it into something special as a contribution towards the significant moment in time.

“As a further benefit for the people of Fiji, we decided to offer a limited number of seats on the flight in exchange for some specific donations.

“All proceeds will be channeled to the Fiji Cancer Society.

“We did sell the seats, in a very short timeframe.”

Travel Ready

Ms Voss highlighted that they want to be ready, hence they have a programme called Travel Ready.

“We may be conducting some flights, but basically, we are using the freighter flights to maybe carry some passengers and particularly as a repatriation flight.

“When the borders are open, we will be ready to fly.

“We can’t wait to return to the skies with commercial services.

“We will be travel ready, which is our programme to safeguard the health and medical safety of our customers.

“No stone has been left unturned in our efforts to make flying safer than before, with all the new medical safety requirements for flights.

“The Fijian Government has put forward the COVID-19 safe economic recovery framework, which will make the Bula Bubble possible, and the framework allows for controlled easing of border restrictions, depending on who the bubble partner is going to be.”

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj