THE much anticipated arrival of Air Pacific's brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft yesterday morning was testimony of the hard work and commitment of the airline's staff, says outgoing chief executive officer and managing director Dave Pflieger.
"That work not only rescued our company from record losses and potential failure, it resulted in winning world-class awards for our customer service, and it also strengthened and revitalised Fiji's national airline for another 61 years of success and services to Fiji and its people," said Mr Pflieger.
"It has just flown over 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) from the Airbus manufacturing centre in Toulouse, France after a quick stop in Hong Kong and the low level salutes it just gave to 116 Fijian villages it flew over before the "buzz the tower" flyby."
Mr Pflieger was joined by Fiji's president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau during the aircraft's first ever flight into the country.
Ratu Epeli described the 10-hour flight from Hong Kong on board Air Pacific's brand new Airbus A330-200 as a special experience.