Second A350 Arrives, Cuts Carbon Footprint

Fiji Airways, Fiji’s National Airline, last night received its second A350-900 XWB aircraft. Named Island of Vanua Levu, after our second largest island, the aircraft arrived into Nadi from Toulouse, France, via Los Angeles.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, joined the delivery flight from Los Angeles, and was chief guest for the traditional arrival ceremony offered by Fiji Airways staff in Nadi.

Fiji Airways is the first A350 operator in the South Pacific.

The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

Airline’s efforts

Speaking at the A350’s arrival event, Fiji Airways Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs Shaenaz Voss highlighted the airline’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

“Our two A350s will burn 25 per cent less fuel, meaning significantly reduced CO2 emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. This is important for Fiji Airways and Fiji.

“And there’s more we are doing for conservation. Our every take-off… one tree initiative has seen us plant 27,000 trees since 2017. By the end of 2019, we will have planted over 33,000.”

She added: “In 2020, we will institute an onboard programme which will remove nearly two tonnes of plastic from our aircraft annually, and save half a million litres of water every year, by changing onboard processes and moving to more environmentally friendly products.”

Auckland flight first

The ‘Island of Vanua Levu’ will undertake its first commercial service tomorrow, operating the Nadi- Auckland (FJ411) and Auckland-Nadi (FJ410) sectors.

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj