Fiji Airways has expanded its Aviation Academy in Nadi with two new state-of-the-art full-flight simulators, along with advanced training devices, to enhance its world-class training offerings.
Fiji Airways has made another significant leap forward in aviation training with the commissioning of two cutting-edge CAE 7000XR full flight simulators for Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft, alongside two CAE 500XR fixed training devices (FTDs) for Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8.
Since its launch in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has focused on nurturing local talent and providing comprehensive training solutions. This latest enhancement allows the airline to keep training in-house, reducing the need and cost for overseas travel while retaining pilots and engineers close to their families.
By investing in additional top-tier training technology, Fiji Airways says it is strengthening its ability to support local professionals while promoting career growth and well-being.
Andre Viljoen, CEO and Managing Director of Fiji Airways, expressed excitement about this development. “The new simulators represent a significant step forward for the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy, allowing us to uphold the highest standards of training and safety while positioning Fiji as a regional leader in aviation,” he said. “By keeping advanced training local, we ensure that our pilots and engineers have the best tools to excel in their careers.”
Since its inception, the Academy has achieved some remarkable milestones. During the pandemic, it ensured the continuity of Fiji Airways’ technical crew, facilitated the training of 34 national pilots for various seat positions, completed 45 type ratings for new national pilots, and supported 74 foreign license conversions.
The Academy has also trained over 600 local cabin crew, and it plans to grow further.
The Aviation Academy Flying Higher
Earlier in 2023, Fiji Airways’ board approved a new investment in four additional pilot training devices, doubling the Academy’s training footprint. This FJ$160 million investment—comprising the initial FJ$85 million in Phase 1 and FJ$75 million in Phase 2a—will continue to support Fiji Airways’ fleet and training needs. Currently, the Academy houses four full-flight simulators and four fixed training devices, covering all aircraft types in Fiji Airways’ fleet.
The airline envisions growing its presence in the global airline training market, leveraging Fiji Airways’ needs as an anchor customer while creating new revenue streams by offering extra training capacity to foreign third-party airlines, helping offset operational costs and further promoting its position as a global aviation training leader.
Fiji Airways recently announced confirmation of its new direct flights from Nadi to Dallas/Fort Worth starting in December 2024. The Dallas route will be the airline’s second destination in the U.S., further solidifying its position as a key player in trans-Pacific travel.
To mark the launch of the Dallas service, Fiji Airways is offering special fares from Australia and New Zealand to Dallas, starting at AU$1,599 and NZ$1,199.
In a recent interview, Viljoen also teased the prospect of flying to two new ports on Australia’s east coast, giving even more Aussies direct access to Fiji’s golden shores.
At the World Airline Awards, Fiji Airways was placed above aviation giants like Etihad, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, climbing to 14th place in the world’s top airline category. By doing so, it also finished as the Australia and Pacific region’s favourite carrier.
In 2023, FJ soared to new heights, carrying a staggering 2.1 million passengers and marking an impressive 57 per cent lift from 2022.
