SINGAPORE – Fresh from the excitement and triumph of their Hong Kong cup win last week, the Fiji national rugby 7s team made a special appearance at Singapore Changi Airport today —— ahead of the much-anticipated Singapore leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series which returns to Singapore this weekend after a decade-long hiatus.
Led by coach Ben Ryan, the 12-man team, who are defending the championship, met lucky passengers and rugby fans at Terminal 3 Transit Area as part of a special meet-and-greet event organised by Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Fiji Airways. Audiences witnessed a showcase of the adrenaline pumping Fijian war dance, the Cibi (pronounced ‘thimbi’), performed by the Fijian team. Participants were also gifted with a specially-customised t-shirt during an autograph session with the team. Missing from the event was skipper Osea Kolinisau who was attending the captains photo shoot.
In conjunction with Singapore’s hosting of the HSBC Rugby Sevens Series, there is a month-long Changi Rugby Sevens exhibition on the event at the Central Departure Transit area of Terminal 3, which runs from 4 to 29 April 2016.
From the exhibits, travellers can learn about the World Rugby Sevens Series and view actual game memorabilia such as the Fiji national team’s previous winner’s trophy and a rugby ball specially autographed by them. Aspiring rugby players can also have a go at the sport and attempt to score a conversion through a fun virtual rugby game simulator on the spot.
Interesting facts and travel information about the three rugby kingpin nations —— Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa are also on display at the event site. Through partner airlines —— Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport is a premier gateway to these three countries.
Celebrating Changi Airport’s new direct link to Fiji
The arrival of the Fiji national rugby 7s team to Changi Airport is hot on the heels of the launch of Fiji Airways’ inaugural flight between Singapore and Nadi last week, on 6 April 2016 —— marking Changi’s first direct air link to the island paradise of Fiji. Fiji Airways operates a twice-weekly service between Singapore and Nadi.
Through this new service, Changi also offers convenient connections to other exotic Pacific Islands such as Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu through Fiji Airways’ regional network.
Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s senior vice-president for Market Development, said, “At Changi, we are always thinking of new ways to engage our passengers. In conjunction of the return of the World Rugby Sevens game to Singapore this weekend, we thought it’d be a great idea to bring in some of the action happening in town into our terminals with the Changi Rugby Sevens exhibition.
“The special meet-and-greet featuring the Fiji rugby team today, which is made possible by our partner Fiji Airways, injects even more excitement for our passengers. Rugby is the national sport of the Fijians, and today’s event is an extension of our celebration of the launch of Fiji Airways’ inaugural flight to Nadi last week. The flight opens up many tourism opportunities for both countries, and together with the airline, we are very excited about the potential of this route.”
Shaenaz Voss, Fiji Airways’ executive general manager, Corporate, said, “This is a brilliant initiative by Changi Airport, which will definitely boost awareness of rugby sevens, Fiji Airways and our home Fiji. It will be exciting for rugby fans and passengers alike to explore the exhibition. Fiji Airways is the world’s most passionate airline when it comes to Rugby Sevens. We are only too happy to have the world’s best Rugby Sevens team in the world’s best airport to officially open this exhibition.”
About Changi Airport
Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport followed on 1 July 2009.
As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.
Changi Airport is the world’s sixth busiest airport for international traffic. It served a record 55.4 million passengers from around the globe in 2015. More than 360 retail stores and 140 F&B outlets are situated across three terminals to cater to passengers and visitors.
With over 100 airlines providing connectivity to 330 cities worldwide, Changi Airport handles about 6,800 flights every week, or about one every 90 seconds.
*Report by FIJI AIRWAYS
