IT’S interesting to note that Fiji Airways has leapfrogged from fourth to first place to scoop the “Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific”.
The achievement acknowledges what the airline says is its continued commitment to world-class service and customer experience.
The national airlines’ flight attendants have also been ranked among the top 20 in the world in the Skytrax Best Airline Cabin Crew awards.
If that’s not enough, the carrier has also been awarded the coveted Skytrax 4-Star rating at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, joining a select group of elite airlines in the category.
Now to get things into perspective, Fiji Airways edged renowned airlines Qantas, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia to claim the top award.
Fiji Airways managing director and CEO Andre Viljoen said the 4-Star rating and award was testament of hard work over the past four years.
He highlighted what he termed excellent customer experience the Fiji Airways’ staff delivered in the air and on the ground.
“We are extremely proud to have been awarded a Skytrax 4-Star rating and the Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific,” he said.
This, he said, was a goal they had set in 2015.
There is no doubt about the fact that the major achievement comes at the tail end of commitment from all sections of the national airline.
It is a positive reflection of the effort being placed on raising our profile on the international stage.
This is never easy when we consider the quality and calibre of airlines we are operating with.
There may be sceptics.
The award, however, recognises the effort put in to meet expectations and set standards.
There obviously will be positive roll-on effects that are good for our national airline.
This show of confidence has to be a positive reflection of the commitment, perseverance and dedication of members of the Fiji Airways team and we hope this will instill great pride in Fijians around the world.
Fiji Airways aircraft already stand out at international airports.
Understandably emphasis now, aside from service inflight and on the ground, is on safety.
Any rating for service will no doubt have an impact on airline choice.
That will draw on figures as per travellers to and from Fiji.
The challenge we have now is to raise our standards, strengthen the form that earned us the rating, and be consistent in all aspects of the business, with an emphasis on comfort, service and safety.
Congratulations are in order.
