Fiji Airways 30 July 2021: Fiji Airways is returning its two leased A330-200 aircraft, Island of Beqa (DQ-FJO) and Island of Vatulele (DQ-FJP), a few months ahead of its end of lease. The two aircraft joined the Fiji Airways fleet in May and July 2018 as part of a short-term lease from the lessor.
Mr Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO said: “The two aircraft were added to the fleet in 2018 to boost the capacity in the short-term, allowing for an increase in frequency and launch of new routes like Tokyo (Narita). The aircraft were invaluable to helping Fiji Airways recover schedules following disruptions caused by the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.”
The two returning A330-200s have been in the Fiji Airways’ parking programme since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic-driven grounding of the wider fleet.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we worked hard with the lessors of these aircraft to allow for an early return by a few months. This was only possible because these two A330s were short-term and nearing the end of the lease. Still, we’ll take every little win in our efforts to reduce fixed costs as we tide through this pandemic.”
Fiji Airways jet fleet now consists of two A350-900, three A300-200, one A330-300, five Boeing 737 MAX, and two Boeing 737NG aircraft.
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