Fiji Airways has made a pledge to achieve World Class rating by October 2023, with Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen, wanting the carrier to be in the same league as the world’s leading airlines.

The pledge was made on Fiji’s National Day today (10 Oct) and comes at a time when Fiji Airways has experienced significant week-on-week growth since the resumption of direct flights from Australia 10 months ago, with sales now higher than 2019 bookings and Aussies accounting for the majority of international holidaymakers.

Viljoen said the continuous demand is prompting the airline to increase capacity from Melbourne by up to three more direct flights per week to Nadi, Fiji launching from November 2022.

He said the airline will continue to offer exceptional service to travellers and has set a new target, based on a successful revamp, to achieve WorldClass rating by October 2023.

“This pledge to achieve World Class status is a commitment that Fiji Airways will continue to offer Australians and all travellers the highest standards of service when flying guests to our home,” Viljoen said.

WorldClass is a rating by APEX that recognises an attainment of the highest standards of safety, well-being, sustainability, service and inclusiveness.

Viljoen said the pursuit for World Class 2023 is embedded in a vision born six years when Fiji Airways ranked 100th in the world.

“We made a decision in 2016 that the national carrier was not going to be just another small airline, and that we would never settle for mediocre services,” he said. “Since then, we have continuously introduced improvements in every aspect of our business to be recognised among the best in the world.

“WorldClass rating is an elite group of airlines which have been recognised as the best in the aviation industry, and I see no reason why Fiji Airways can’t reach this benchmark,” Viljoen said.

Gaining WorldClass rating will put Fiji Airways in the same league as giants of global aviation, including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Saudia, Turkish Airlines, Japan Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Starting today, and over the next 12 months, he said Fiji Airways would implement service enhancements across the business at all perception points for our customers, industry partners and stakeholders both internally and externally.

Viljoen also said Fiji Airways is already delivering world-class services in many aspects and he has full confidence in the team to achieve this coveted rating.

“The APEX WorldClass rating is the preeminent international recognition that all major airlines desire,” he said.

“It may seem daunting, but we at Fiji Airways have proven time and time again that nothing is impossible when we set our minds to it. Our recent haul of awards is proof that we can do this.”

Viljoen said the vision is that as Fiji celebrates its 53rd Independence next year, its national carrier will be announced as a World Class airline by APEX.