Air Pacific Reveals New Brandmark for ‘Fiji Airways’
New airline symbol embodies Fijian culture & people
Nadi, Fiji – Air Pacific, Fiji’s international airline, today revealed the new brandmark that will be used to represent the carrier
when it relaunches as ‘Fiji Airways’ in 2013.
The unveiling of the airline’s new brandmark is the latest milestone in a series of initiatives that are part of Air
Pacific’s restructuring and rebranding, which will start its final phase in early 2013 when the airline returns to its
1951 name of ‘Fiji Airways’ and welcomes the first of three brand-new A330s.
At the heart of the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brandmark is a striking new Masi symbol that epitomises Fiji and enhances the new
name of Fiji’s national carrier – Fiji’s flying ambassador to the world. Designed by a renowned local Fijian Masi
artist, the new symbol in the brandmark brings Fiji’s culture and heritage to life by linking the name ‘Fiji Airways’
with this highly respected and traditional art form that has been a part of Fijian culture for several centuries.
To create this distinctive Fijian symbol, the airline carefully selected celebrated local Fijian Masi artist, Makereta
Matemosi, who has been practicing this uniquely Fijian art for 32 years - to create a unique Masi design for ‘Fiji
Airways’.
At the centre of the new Masi symbol is a distinctive Teteva motif, which symbolises the airline, its values, and the spirit of Fiji. As an integral part of the new ‘Fiji Airways’
brand, this Teteva was designed to represent spirituality, consideration of others, Fijian hospitality, and the connection that ‘Fiji
Airways’ will offer between Fiji’s 333 islands and the rest of the world.
“It was over a year ago that we started work on this ambitious project to re-brand our airline and design a new
brandmark for the new ‘Fiji Airways’. While the new name had a lot of history associated with it, we decided that we
wanted a new and distinctly Fijian symbol and brandmark that would help us best represent the country while also
ensuring our planes stand out at some of the world’s busiest international airports. In short, we wanted a flying
billboard for Fiji and its stunning 333 islands in the South Pacific”, said David Pflieger, Air Pacific’s CEO and
Managing Director.
“Fiji is universally well known for its stunning natural beauty and amazing people, but what is not so well known is its
centuries-old culture that offers visitors an opportunity to not only unplug from their hectic day-to-day lives but lose
themselves in the tranquillity of Fiji’s South Pacific authenticity. As Fiji’s national airline, we think the
distinctive Masi symbol, the brandmark and their colour tones are a perfect fit with Fiji’s heritage, and the beauty and
warmth of the Fijian people and the islands themselves,” Mr. Pflieger added.
According to the artist, the new Masi design captures all that is unique about the airline and the Fijian experience.
“What I’ve created is something entirely different, and has never been seen in any of the Masi designs in Fiji,”
Matemosi explained. “I hope this Masi symbol means a lot to our nation, our people, and our visitors, because we are
proud of our country and proud of the new ‘Fiji Airways’” she added.
Today’s announcement marks another important milestone in the continued turnaround of Fiji’s national carrier, an effort
that has already been marked by an aircraft order for new Airbus A330 aircraft, selection of new Rolls-Royce’s Trent 700
engines, the addition of a new Boeing 737-800, increased flights between Fiji and Sydney, and many other improvements to
the airline’s world-renowned product and services.
The final phase of Air Pacific’s revitalisation and modernisation will begin with the delivery of the airline’s new
fleet of A330 which arrive in Fiji in March, May, and November of 2013. All three of the planes will arrive with the
airline’s new brand identity and colour scheme which will be fully revealed on October 10th in conjunction with Fiji Day
the celebration of Fiji’s independence day. The full re-branding is due to be complete by the end of 2013, by which time
the new ‘Fiji Airways’ brand will roll out across the marketplace, ticket offices, check-in counters, airport lounge
facilities, and the airline’s official website.
###
Editors’ Notes
• Passengers and fans of Air Pacific can track the airline’s progress and brand rollout by visiting www.fijiairways.com.
• The airline’s newly branded A330-200s are expected to take flight in June, 2013.
ABOUT AIR PACIFIC
Air Pacific and its subsidiary Pacific Sun together fly over 300 flights per week. The company operates B747 and B737
aircraft from Fiji to 15 cities in 10 countries. Destinations include Hong Kong, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa,
Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. Air Pacific aircraft bring in over 64 percent of all visitors who
fly to Fiji. The two companies employ over 900 employees, earn revenues of over F$675 million, and directly contribute a
significant portion of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Pacific Sun operates a combination of ATR 42-500s and
De Havilland DH-6 Twin Otter aircraft on Fiji’s 10 domestic island routes and regional flights to Tonga, Tuvalu and
Vanuatu.
Air Pacific will soon be ‘Fiji Airways’. Stay tuned to www.fijiairways.com for updates.