Global superstar: Fiji Airways named airline of the year and one of the top 10 in the world
It is the smallest airline by fleet size ever to earn this honour, and the only airline in Oceania to be recognised.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO, Andre Viljoen, said in a world dominated by global airline giants with extensive resources and vast fleet sizes, Fiji Airways has had to punch far above its weight to compete and grow.
He said the airline’s journey to World Class was driven by its determination to have a place on the world stage, to differentiate itself, and to prove that a small airline from a small island nation can soar with the very best.
“This recognition is a proud and historic moment for the airline and for Fiji,” Viljoen said.
“In 2016, we were ranked outside the world’s Top 100 airlines. Today, through sheer grit, relentless innovation, and the unbreakable spirit of our people, we have risen to be named one of the Top 10 Airlines in the World.
“This recognition is not just an award, it’s about showing every Fijian, and every member of our team, that we can achieve the impossible.
“We are the David in a world of Goliaths – and we are winning. Every guest we welcome, we fight for. Every route we grow, we defend.
“To excel, we cannot afford to be ordinary. We need to stand out, to be unmistakably remarkable, and to create an experience so extraordinary that travellers choose Fiji Airways not just for where we fly, but for how we make them feel.
“That is why we embarked on the World Class journey. It required us to lift every part of our airline to a standard that only the world’s best achieve.
“It gives us a powerful point of difference that no amount of advertising and marketing can buy.
“As we look ahead, Fiji Airways remains focused on constant innovation and raising the bar even higher. Today, we celebrate together with our staff, loyal guests, stakeholders, and the nation of Fiji. Vinaka vakalevu. The world is watching, and we are soaring,” he said.
Viljoen said this recognition cements Fiji Airways’ place among the world’s top 10 leaders in hospitality and excellence and shines a global spotlight on Fiji as a premier travel destination.
“Winning World Class was not an accolade achieved overnight,” Viljoen said. “It was the product of a relentless, end-to-end transformation of our people, products, service and more.
“Achieving this recognition required one of the most extensive transformation efforts in the airline’s history.
“It meant a complete overhaul of the inflight experience, procuring brand new galley and service equipment, building new supply chains for freshly sourced produce, working with local Fiji businesses and manufacturers, both small and large, and introducing an entirely new suite of premium products onboard,” he said.
Viljoen said the airline worked closely with both existing and new caterers and suppliers in Fiji and around the world, expecting them to rise to the same world class standards Fiji Airways was setting for themselves.
“Months were spent developing the Pacific Rim-inspired cuisine and redesigning every part of the service flow, while hundreds of cabin crew underwent up to two weeks of intensive training each,” he said.
“Sixteen of the best were selected to become World Class Trainers, completing a 10-week program before leading the training across the airline.
“It was a massive undertaking that required months of preparation, dedication, and teamwork before the very first World Class flight took off.”
The APEX World Class Award is judged through a rigorous process that combined independent audits with global passenger feedback, measuring excellence across safety, sustainability, well-being, service, and customer experience.