Fiji Airways is an economic powerhouse, according to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Speaking in Nadi, Mr Rabuka said the national airline spent about $450 million locally every year.
“It is a big earner of foreign currency,” he said.
“In 2023, their total earnings is expected to be $1.5 billion.
“We can add to that a projected payment of $80m in departure taxes.”
Mr Rabuka said while the airline contributed a significant amount of money into Fiji’s economy, it also invested in its own people.
“The budgeted costs of Fiji Airways’ workforce this year is $182m, including salaries and other related expenses.
“This money, too, circulates through our economy.
“By year’s end, the staff total is expected to be more than 2000.
“I pay tribute to the entire Fiji Airways workforce for their skills, competence and diligence, and I could add, friendliness.”
The Prime Minister said the airline’s plans to grow its fleet and explore new routes would bring more benefits to the national economy.
“The experts of Fiji Airways calculate that compared with 2019, the airline may now have up to 40 per cent more passenger capacity depending on route schedule.
“Fiji Airways is carefully considering acquiring more aircrafts and further increasing capacity in some existing routes.
“Feasibility studies are ongoing on potential new routes, some of them connect to very large markets and all we got to do is make Fiji great.”
