Fiji Airways has successfully expanded its workforce and made significant investments in the tourism sector, according to Chairman Nalin Patel, speaking before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs. By the end of 2023, the airline’s workforce had grown to 2,051 employees, marking a recovery and growth trajectory since the pandemic.
Patel’s remarks were included in the Committee’s report reviewing the airline’s annual performance, which was presented to Parliament this week. Alongside its workforce expansion, Fiji Airways has strengthened its presence in the hospitality industry by increasing its investment in Richmond Limited, which jointly operates the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, to 50 percent. Moreover, the airline is financing a $230 million project for a new 190-room resort on Denarau Island, anticipated to open in late 2026.
These strategic investments are expected to diversify Fiji Airways’ operations beyond aviation, contributing to long-term growth in tourism and employment in Fiji. Patel reiterated that the Republic of Fiji holds the majority stake in the airline at 51%, with other significant shareholders including the Fiji National Provident Fund (30.02%) and Qantas Limited (16.44%), among others from the Pacific region.
Patel emphasized that while the controlling interest remains with Fijian entities, the company is committed to regional collaboration through its shareholding structure and workforce. He noted that Fiji Airways remains the leading carrier in the Pacific, playing a vital role in regional connectivity and employment.
This positive momentum in the airline’s workforce and investments comes on the heels of a record-breaking operating revenue of $1.8 billion for 2023, as highlighted in the annual report and indicative of the airline’s robust recovery from challenges faced during the pandemic. The airline’s operational profit of $113.2 million also showcases resilience, a stark contrast to a significant loss in 2022.
Fiji Airways continues to make strides, and these developments indicate a hopeful future not only for the airline but also for the broader Fijian economy as it gears up for enhanced tourism and employment opportunities in the coming years.
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