Air Pacific Limited, the largest carrier of visitors to Fiji, celebrates the success of its inaugural direct flight from Nadi of Fiji to Hong Kong today. The inaugural flight marks an important milestone for the Airline to expand its business in the South-east Asia by first extending services to Hong Kong, which is regarded as an international aviation hub.

Air Pacific operates 108 flights to 18 cities in 12 countries. With the Hong Kong new route coming into operation, and through its code-share partnership with Cathay Pacific, its network now covers South-east Asia, the UK and continental Europe.

Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama leads a Government delegation to celebrate the inaugural flight. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Air Pacific Board Chairman Mr. Nalin Patel, and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air Pacific, Mr. John Campbell and host of Government dignitaries on this inaugural flight to Hong Kong.

Speaking at the official inaugural celebration, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air Pacific, Mr John Campbell said, “Hong Kong International Airport is an airport that has consistently been ranked amongst the best in the world. Its location has long been regarded as a natural gateway to China, with unrivalled access to markets on the Mainland and increasingly seen as a springboard for investors from overseas enterprises wishing to expand globally, is ideal for Air Pacific that is targeting overseas markets using Hong Kong as a transit hub.”

There will be 2 weekly flights between Fiji and Hong Kong on Thursdays and Saturdays. Air Pacific’s flight FJ391 (Nadi to Hong Kong) departs from Nadi, Fiji’s International Airport at 0830 hours and arrives at Hong Kong International Airport at approximately 1345 hours. The return flight, FJ392 (Hong Kong to Nadi) departs Hong Kong International Airport at 1545 hours and arrives at Nadi, Fiji’s International Airport at 0645 hours. The Airline is a full service carrier providing passengers with complimentary meals, beverages and in-flight entertainment complimented by Fijian hospitality. This route has been carefully planned to offer optimum convenience to the business travelers and visitors.

As Fiji’s International Airline service provider for world class air transport and communication services, Air Pacific is an integral player in Fiji’s tourism industry and is the largest carrier of visitors to Fiji. Air Pacific with its code-share partners carries 70% of total visitors to Fiji.

To support the Airline’s expansion in the region, a new office in Hong Kong was set up in this year to manage strategic marketing and sales partnership in Hong Kong, China and the South-east Asia.

Newly appointed General Manager, Asia for Air Pacific, Mr. Watson Seeto said, “We are looking forward to providing more choices for customers flying between Hong Kong and Fiji with our new services. Air Pacific is committed to attracting visitors from Fiji to Hong Kong and connecting them to the rest of the world.”

“In joint marketing campaigns with Tourism Fiji and related partners, the Air Pacific Hong Kong operational team will identify and secure key segments. With support from the corporate operation in Fiji, the Hong Kong operation will play an active role in capturing opportunities using Hong Kong as the ideal strategic location for expanding and capturing the growing opportunities in the region. The choice of Hong Kong is a tribute to its dynamism and its well-earned position as Asia’s World City,” he continued.

Extensive marketing campaign targeting at key segments including families, weddings and honeymooners, conferences and incentive groups, adventure travelers, retirees, will be in place.