Fiji Airways has cut its long haul passenger capacity by 40% and its cargo capacity by 50%. This is at the same time the Ministry of Tourism is trying to grow Long Haul Tourism.
It is the same Minister, Kraiyum Pays, who made these 2 conflicting decisions. At the same time of cutting the Long Haul Tourist capacity he has ordered Tourism Fiji to spend more money marketing to Long Haul Tourists. Duh! The new Airbus 330s have a seating capacity of 278. But they cannot fly with a full load to and from Los Angeles or Hong Kong. They have to carry extra fuel at the expense of passengers. 3 A330s have a total passenger load of 819. On Long haul they have a passenger load of only 750. The old fleet of 2 Boeing 747s and 1 Boeing 767 had a passenger load of over 1200. They also could carry a full load long haul. So the new planes have reduced Fiji Airways Long Haul Capacity by 450 passengers. In Cargo terms it is even worse. The A330s carry 50% of the cargo of a 747. So on every long haul flight Fiji Airways will have to decide whether to cut passengers or cargo. The same minister, Kraiyum Pays, is responsible for Fiji’s exports and yet he has cut the county’s ability to export. Added to which is that the A330 is an old design and Airbus will cease production of the plane in 2014. To conclude Kraiyum Pays has bought aircraft that are in direct opposition to his stated policies on Tourism and Exports. Why would anyone make such a stupid decision unless there was something in it for him?
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