Aviation History
Fiji's aviation history dates to Fiji Airways' founding in 1951, building on Nadi's status as a major Pacific air hub developed from a WWII-era US military airfield. The carrier was renamed Air Pacific in 1971 during a period of part-Qantas ownership, then reverted to the Fiji Airways name in 2013 alongside a fleet and brand renewal. As the country's dominant airline and a key driver of its tourism economy, Fiji Airways was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic but has since rebuilt its long-haul and regional network.
Fiji Airways was established, building on earlier local air services, to provide inter-island and regional connections from Fiji.
The airline was rebranded Air Pacific during a period of expanded regional ownership and route growth across the South Pacific.
Introduction of wide-body jet aircraft allowed direct long-haul service to markets such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States, cementing Nadi's role as a Pacific hub.
The carrier reverted to its original Fiji Airways name as part of a rebrand accompanying new Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft.
Fiji Airways became a oneworld connect partner airline, strengthening interline links with major global alliance carriers.
The pandemic collapsed Fiji's tourism-dependent aviation sector, forcing Fiji Airways to ground most of its fleet and furlough staff before a gradual recovery from 2021-2022 onward.
Fiji Airways · Fiji Link
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