Fiji Airways has a new A350-900XWB in its fleet, expanding the airline’s capacity on flights by up to 30,000 seats a month across the network.

Fiji Airways is planning to promote Savusavu (on the island of Vanua Levu) and Taveuni to trade this year to help disperse New Zealand visitation beyond the tried and familiar destinations of Fiji.

Sheryn Ambler, regional GM Fiji Airways, New Zealand says the airline’s future loads from this market look strong, but one problem Kiwis have is finding accommodation in destinations such as Denarau and the Coral Coast.

Tourism Fiji’s agent incentive campaign, which was set to be in place until April 30 or until all 120 reward tickets had been secured, has ended in just over three weeks due to the overwhelming number of entries from agents across the country selling Fiji to their clients.

The ‘Sell Fiji Airways and we’ll shout you a ticket to Happiness’ was launched on 14 March as a celebration of New Zealand’s borders opening to Fiji for the first time in two years.

After the recent announcement of Fiji’s borders opening on 1 December, hotel and resort bookings have soared.

The industry has seen tremendous momentum and record bookings, predominantly from families looking for a reunion, couples wanting to escape and groups looking to celebrate missed milestones.

Fiji will open to international travellers on 1 December. Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama said in statement on Sunday that Fiji is ready to welcome travellers back to its shores.

‘We are entirely confident in our ability to manage the risk associated with quarantine-free travel. Our planes are prepared. Our airports are adapted.’

The official announcement came as Fiji reached its goal to get 80% of its eligible population fully vaccinated.

Fiji Airways has launched The Great Companion Getaway, a two for one deal being sold through to 19 January.

A recent educational that combined Fiji with Club Med Bintan Island (just off Singapore) was designed to showcase Fiji Airways’ wider network beyond Fiji.

Fiji Airways and Alaska Airlines have strengthened their codeshare partnership, adding a number of destinations to the Fijian carrier’s network via its San Francisco hub.