WHAT could be more adventurous, unique and romantic than arriving at a resort’s beach by seaplane on the blue lagoon of Fiji.
This was a memory not to be forgotten, travelling high above the clouds and catching a glimpse of some of the most beautiful islands in the Yasawas and Mamanucas, magnificent reefs and white sandy beaches in Fiji.
For Turtle Airways Ltd, this picturesque experience is all part of the adventure.
Turtle Airways’ base is situated on Wailoaloa Beach, which is a five-minute drive from Nadi International Airport.
The company was founded by Richard Evanson Sr in 1979, partly to transport crew and material for the 1980 film the Blue Lagoon.
The popular movie, starring Brooke Shields, was filmed on Mr Evanson’s privately-owned Turtle Island, an award-winning, five-star resort located in the Yasawa Islands. Be sure to take your camera to snap magical view from the sky with landscape that will sure blow you away.
Scenic views
Apart from resort transfers, the aviation company provides scenic flights, a service that continues to attract many people.
With the theme “Keep Exploring, Keep Discovering”, the company’s pilot will take you high with views of idyllic islands, rainforests, tropical jungles and vibrant reefs — where the colours and exotic wildlife bring this landscape to life.
The volcanic islands in the Yasawas are home to some of Fiji’s best beaches. Sports Illustrated chose this location as one of the destinations to shoot the 2010 Swimwear edition.
Expansion
The aviation company plans to have three aircraft by next month with an additional one by June or July next year.
As part of its ambitious plan, Turtle Airways Ltd hopes to acquire a fifth and larger aircraft in two to three years.
Company director Richard Evanson Jr said they had two operational aircraft and employed 16 permanent staff members, five trainees and attachees.
“We are experiencing the highest passenger volumes in the last eight years, despite more competition. This has allowed us to invest considerably into our business; through the purchase of a new aircraft which was delivered to us in August this year, as well as the ability to completely refurbish the interior of our existing planes,” he said.
He said their travel partners were excited about the improvements they were making.
“With our present fleet, we have the capacity to move 100 passengers per day between Nadi and the Yasawas, and about 200 passengers per day between Nadi and the Mamanuca islands,” he said.
He said Turtle Airways was Fiji’s safest domestic airline, with a clean safety record in the past 35 years of operation.
It also opened new facilities at its seaplane base on Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi.
While significant investments had gone into the development, Mr Evanson Jr said those included a newly-refurbished operations office, waiting lounge equipped with free wi-fi access, shower and vanity facilities, and mini bar. Within a few days, he said, they would open a second waiting lounge to cater for more passengers.
“We are also implementing a full complementary ground transport service by mid-December 2015. A long-awaited service and something our customers have been asking us to do,” he said.
With fleet and infrastructure expansion, he said, human resource was also growing and this included administrators and pilots to cater for the growing business demands.
The seaplane caters for Navutu Stars Resort, Nanuya Island Resort, Otto & Fanny’s, Coralview Island Resort, Safe Landing, Nabua Lodge, Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, Oarsman Bay Lodge, Viwa Island Resort, Barefoot Island Resort and other resorts in the Yasawas and Mamanucas.
* Next week: Part II — Turtle Island’s progress over the years.
