Fiji Airways, an airline of Fiji, is returning two leased Airbus A330-200 aircraft, DQ-FJO, and DQ-FJP, a few months before their lease-end. As part of a short-term lease from the lessor, the two aircraft entered Fiji Airways’ fleet in May and July 2018.
Fiji Airways has dropped a third of its Airbus A330 fleet after returning two A330-200s to their lenders. In the face of the global health crisis and ongoing travel restrictions, airlines are attempting to cut costs and lower demand. The plane will return to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, its lender.
Read also: New Zealand approved the return of Fiji Airways 737 MAX to its skies
Fiji Airways managing director and CEO Andre Viljoen stated in a statement that the two planes were returned a few months early of the leasing agreement’s expiration date.
“The two aircraft were added to the fleet in 2018 to boost capacity in the short term, allowing for increased frequency and the launch of new routes like Tokyo,” said Mr. Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director, and CEO. The planes were critical in assisting Fiji Airways in regaining schedules following the global grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.”
“We’ve been working with the lessors of these aircraft since the beginning of the pandemic to enable for an early return by a few months. This was only conceivable since the leases on these two A330s were coming to an end. Even so, we’ll accept any small victory in our fight to cut fixed expenses as we navigate this pandemic.”
The two returning A330-200s have been in Fiji Airways’ parking program since March 2020, when the larger fleet was grounded due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Fiji Airways now has two Airbus A350-900 aircraft, three Airbus A330-200 aircraft, one Airbus A330-300 aircraft, five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and two Boeing 737NG aircraft in its fleet.
According to Fiji Airways managing director and CEO Andreville Yune, the aircraft was first purchased in the short term to improve the capacity, frequency and introduce new routes (such as Tokyo). It claims to have made it possible.
According to Planespotters.net, the jet was leased to Fiji Airways on a short-term basis in mid-2018. Air Seychelles had previously flown both planes. According to the information, the aircraft is subleased, and both jets’ legal owners are Carlyle Airlines partners.
Fiji airways – Flag Carrier of Fiji
Fiji’s flag carrier airline serves 13 countries and 23 cities from its hubs in Fiji, including Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands (Oceania), as well as the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Through its codeshare partners, it has access to a global network of 108 destinations.
The airline has truly matured, transitioning from flying De Havilland Dragon Rapides to the new Airbus 330-200 jets of today. It has a substantial presence in the region and is frequently ranked among the top carriers. The airline decided in May 2012 that it would rename itself Fiji Airways to emphasize its status as Fiji’s proud national carrier. Fiji Airways connects the islands of Fiji to the rest of the globe and proudly welcomes tourists to its home.
