THE rebranding of Air Pacific back to its original tag—Fiji Airways has been described by the national carrier as a unique opportunity to give the country back its airline.
Speaking at the launch of the new brand, Air Pacific chief executive officer David Pflieger said the rebranding was the first in a series of milestones planned for the airline.
"It's fantastic from my perspective and Air Pacific's perspective to be able to give the country its airline back and that's how I look at this. It's a unique once in a lifetime opportunity that we all are thrilled with," he said. "The next big milestone will be in October where we want to be able to symbolically unveil what the livery and interior of the aircraft will look like. It will be a big surprise."
Chief guest at the launch, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the new logo and brand mark spoke volumes of what the country espoused and what the South Pacific's most popular destination meant to hundreds of thousands who visited our shores each year.
"When Air Pacific was conducting consumer research to get ideas for this new logo, one word kept coming up - authentic means that is more than palm trees and sandy beaches, even to tourists," he said.
"The tourists, most of whom come to Fiji for the beaches and palm trees, have recognised that the bula spirit is real, that we cherish our heritage, that the Fijian experience is deep and multi-faceted.
"Thanks to the contribution of Fijians, visitors to Fiji have an experience that is genuine."
Commodore Bainimarama said the design by Namuka-i-Lau, Lami artist Makereta Matemosi was uniquely Fijian and best symbolised what the country and the airline stood for.
"What better could symbolise the unique blend of our cultures and traditions and what better could symbolise our commonology. This logo will transform Fiji Airways planes into welcoming symbols of Fijian culture.
"This uniquely Fijian logo on our uniquely Fijian airline will help the airline continue to stand out. The new name and the new logo makes the airline our brand ambassador, adding to and spreading the Fijian brand."
Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the rebranding of Air Pacific into Fiji Airways was further evidence of government's pushing the Fiji brand to the world market.