Fiji Airways

OPINION: Fiji Airways is aggressively targeting Kiwis fed up with expensive fares, offering flights to Asia and USA for around $1000 return.

But since Covid, Qantas now flies to Samoa (from Brisbane and Sydney) and Fiji Airways is keen to provide Kiwis with an alternative if they're willing to fly via Nadi. [Air NZ's fleet problem](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300819240/the-big-problem-at-air-nz-few-people-are-talking-about) puts it in a vulnerable position long-term. It also has the advantage of a lower cost base than New Zealand or Australian carriers and is rumoured to be eyeing more long-haul aircraft. [Qantas is already in the hunt, launching a direct Auckland to New York route in June to compete with the national carrier's "flagship" NZ1 flight.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300671360/air-new-zealand-just-got-slapped-in-the-face-by-qantas--and-itll-mean-cheaper-airfares) The airline anticipated it would take years for demand to rebound - [a calculation I argue it got very wrong.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300819240/the-big-problem-at-air-nz-few-people-are-talking-about) Intriguingly, it's also trying to market flights for Kiwis to Tonga and Samoa - with sale fares at just $499 return. It's facing increased pressure from Qantas, which will soon have [Kiwi Cam Wallace](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300819240/the-big-problem-at-air-nz-few-people-are-talking-about) heading its international division. Taking eight long-haul aircraft out of the mix is tough. Put simply, Air NZ doesn't have the aircraft to keep up with demand. In some cases, the tickets are significantly cheaper than what Air NZ is offering. But it's being felt particularly hard by Air NZ because we're an isolated country at the bottom of the world that relies on long-haul flights. [ Its executive made the decision to permanently retire around a quarter of its long-haul flying capacity during the pandemic ](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300394694/air-new-zealand-to-retire-all-boeing-777s--its-largest-jet)- it got rid of eight 777-200ER aircraft.