Air Fiji was an airline based in Nausori, Fiji.[1] It operated inter-island services to destinations within the Fijian Islands. Its main base was Nausori International Airport, Suva, with a base at Nadi International Airport.[2]
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| Founded | 1967 (as Air Pacific) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 10 July 1967 | ||||||
| Ceased operations | 1 May 2009 | ||||||
| Operating bases | |||||||
| Fleet size | 5 | ||||||
| Destinations | 16 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Nausori, Fiji | ||||||
| Key people | Sialeni Vuetaki (CEO) | ||||||
Before being headquartered in Nausori, Air Fiji was headquartered in Suva.[3]
History
editThe airline was established in 1967 and started operations on 10 July 1967 as Air Pacific. On 29 March 1971, Air Pacific was renamed Fiji Air and again renamed to Air Fiji in February 1995. It was owned by Aviation Investments (55%), government of Fiji (11%) and other shareholders (34%).
It had 229 employees (at March 2007).[2] Air Fiji suspended operations for two weeks in 2008.[4] Air Fiji ceased operations on 1 May 2009 due to financial issues.[5]
Destinations
editAir Fiji operated the following services (at June 2008):[citation needed]
- Fiji
- Cicia - Cicia Airport
- Gau - Gau Airport
- Kadavu - Kadavu Airport
- Koro - Koro Airport
- Labasa - Labasa Airport
- Lakeba - Lakeba Airport
- Levuka - Levuka Airfield
- Malolo Lailai - Malolo Lailai Airport [occasional charter]
- Mana - Mana Island Airport [occasional charter]
- Moala - Moala Airport
- Nadi - Nadi International Airport (Base)
- Nausori - Nausori International Airport (Base)
- Rotuma - Rotuma Airport
- Savusavu - Savusavu Airport
- Taveuni - Matei Airport
- Vanuabalavu - Vanuabalavu Airport
- Tuvalu
Terminated destinations before closure:
Fleet
editThe Air Fiji fleet included the following aircraft (at December 2008):
| Aircraft | Total |
|---|---|
| Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander | 1 |
| Embraer EMB 110P2 Bandeirante | 2 |
| Harbin Y-12 | 2 |
| Total | 5 |
Accidents and incidents
editOn 24 July 1999, Air Fiji Flight 121, an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante (registered DQ-AFN) operated a domestic flight from Suva to Nadi, crashed into a mountain near Delailasakau, killing all 17 occupants on board. The crash was caused by a drunk captain.
References
edit- ^ "Two regional airlines seal deal." Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association. 4 October 2005. Retrieved on 3 October 2009.
- ^ a b Flight International 27 March 2007
- ^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "63."
- ^ 2008, Grounded Air Fiji Resumes Flights, Fiji Daily Post
- ^ Defunct Airlines of 2009 Archived August 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine