Fiji Link to complete Twin Otter upgrade in late 3Q18 ch-aviation PRO exclusive

Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) has taken delivery of its first B737-8 following the arrival of DQ-FAB (msn 64307) in Nadi from Seattle Boeing Field via Honolulu on December 1.

The Pacific carrier has five B737 MAX 8s on order from Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) of which two are due to be delivered this year with the remaining three to arrive in 2019.

Collectively, the MAX will replace Fiji Airways' existing fleet of one B737-700 and four B737-800s. As such, DQ-FAB will replace B737-800 DQ-FJG (msn 29968), the local Fiji Sun newspaper reported.

“The addition of these new state-of-the-art aircraft from 2018 will continue the modernisation of the Fiji Airways fleet that we began three years ago with the delivery of the first wide-bodied A330-200," Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO said in a statement. "Now that we are adding new and very efficient B737 MAX 8s, Fiji Airways will have one of the youngest fleets in the Asia Pacific. Which means not only...

Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) and a number of other airlines cancelled flights to and from Nadi on Friday, July 27, due to the safety threat posed by the volcanic ash cloud after the eruption of Mount Aoba in Vanuatu.

The Fijian flag carrier and its regional subsidiary Fiji Link (FJA, Nadi) have cancelled flights out of Nadi to each of Auckland Int'l, Suva, and Tongatapu.

Other airlines which have cancelled services to and from Nadi include Air New Zealand, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Aircalin.

Fiji Airways has also warned its passengers to expect further delays and possible cancellations due to the unpredictable situation.

Mount Aoba, more commonly known as Ambae, is a volcano located on an eponymous island which is essentially a giant volcanic peak. It erupts regularly every few months, threatening the lives of some 11,000 native inhabitants. The Ni-Vanuatu government is currently conducting a full evacuation of the island, the second in just 10 months. The country is considered to be...

Fiji Link (FJA, Nadi) has taken delivery of its maiden DHC-6-400 following the arrival of C-GUVT (msn 956) in Fiji earlier this weekend. The turboprop is one of three Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) ordered from Viking Air (VKN, Victoria Int'l) as part of the fleet renewal of its interisland subsidiary.

Along with the two aircraft, which are due in early 2018, the trio of -400s will collectively replace Fiji Link's existing fleet of three De Havilland Canada-manufactured DHC-6-300s which now average over 40 years of age.

Earlier this year, Fiji Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Andre Viljoen said the -400s would be used to increase daily flights to key local destinations such as Savusavu and Taveuni.