National airline Fiji Airways has secured a 12-year operating lease arrangement with a reputable leasing partner for its subsidiary Fiji Link’s newest ATR aircraft.
The Fiji Times has established that the market price of a new ATR 72-600 is approximately $US26 million (approx. $F59.22m).
However, according to a Fiji Airways spokesperson, the national carrier did not purchase the aircraft outright, instead it secured the operating lease arrangement.
“This leasing structure allows Fiji Airways to manage capital expenditure responsibly while maintaining fleet modernisation and ensuring operational efficiency,” a Fiji Airways spokesperson told this newspaper.
The spokesperson said the aircraft was accepted directly from ATR in Toulouse, and it had undergone the standard manufacturing testing and certification processes at ATR’s facilities before formal acceptance by Fiji Airways.
In a statement yesterday, Fiji Airways chief Fiji Link and Cargo Operations officer Athil Narayan the new aircraft was more than a fleet renewal.
“Every new aircraft allows us to further strengthen domestic and regional connectivity,” Mr Narayan said.
“It brings people together and creates opportunities for connection, trade and shared experiences across our islands and the Pacific,” he said.
The ferry flight for the aircraft’s delivery to Fiji was operated by Focus Aero, the contracted ferry company.
The airline stated the new ATR aircraft would boost the domestic carrier’s capability with improved fuel efficiency, greater performance in island environments, and enhanced comfort for passengers travelling throughout Fiji and to neighbouring Pacific destinations.
It added that as the aircraft goes through final preparations for entry into service, it looked forward to deploying it across key domestic routes, supporting tourism growth, facilitating inter-island travel, and reinforcing their role in connecting communities across the country. The final preparation stage involves several key steps to ensure the aircraft is fully ready for commercial operations under Fiji Link, and include entry-into-service modifications to align the aircraft with Fiji Link’s specific operational and configuration requirements; cabin crew and technical crew walk-throughs, and scheduled maintenance and technical checks to verify that all systems meet regulatory, safety, and performance standards prior to the aircraft’s first revenue flight.
Fiji Link staff pictured with the new ATR aircraft at the Nadi International Airport. Inset: The new ATR-72 aircraft. Pictures: SUPPLIED/FIJI AIRWAYS
Fiji Link’s new ATR aircraft arrives at the Nadi International Airport. Picture: SUPPLIED/FIJI AIRWAYS
