Air Pacific hopes to make new start as Fiji Airways

Goodbye, Air Pacific. Hello, Fiji Airways.

The rebranding of Air Pacific took a major step this week when the airline adopted its new name, Fiji Airways, and Fijian symbol.

The new name caps an effort by the small airline to recover from several years of record losses during the economic recession.

Many of the changes in the 60-year-old airline will be visible in Southern California, where the carrier is expanding from six direct flights a week from Los Angeles International Airport to eight flights during peak travel season in December and January.

The airline is also phasing out its aging Boeing 747 with three new Airbus A330 for routes from Los Angeles. Fiji Airways has already taken delivery of two of the new planes and expects to receive the third in November.

The airline operates a fleet of four Boeing 737 planes, one 747 plane and two A330 jets. By December, the 747 will be replaced by a third A330.

Airline officials say they hope the new name will boost business by more clearly defining to passengers the service offered by the carrier.

“From the traditional Fijian Masi artwork that adorns the tail of the aircraft, to the rich interior, to its own staff, to the name, this airline proudly represents all that the Fijian culture and our beautiful islands stand for,” said Aubrey Swift, acting chief executive of Fiji Airways.

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