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Fiji Airways Receives Five-Star Safety Rating

A Fiji Airways Airbus A330-200. Laurent ERRERA from L'Union, France [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Fiji Airways has received a five-star Covid-19 Safety rating from Skytrax for its safety protocols to limit infection, covers all the airline’s safety protocols in response to Covid-19. Skytrax accredited the airline following a safety audit over March and April.

Safety measures implemented at Nadi International Airport, onboard and in lounges were all evaluated. These include social distancing measures, enhanced cleaning regimes, the food and beverage offer and contactless service offerings.

Fiji Airways established a Travel Ready program last year. The program implemented over 1,200 health and safety measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of customers and staff. Some of the changes at the airport include restricted terminal access to passengers only, more terminal space for customers, a contactless lounge experience and reorganized seating. Also, customers can find an abundance of hand sanitizing stations around the airline’s hub.

Onboard, customers now benefit from a refined carry-on baggage allowance to limit congestion. Passengers also receive a Travel Ready hygiene kit containing wipes, gloves and spare face masks.

Fiji Airways has also adapted inflight meal services to allow for Covid-safe handling and preparation.

The airline has also introduced a new onboard cleaning system to target high-contact areas after each flight. On arrival in Nadi, aircraft undergo a deep clean with long-lasting anti-viral disinfectant. Moreover, flight attendants doing extra lavatory checks in-flight, where passengers can find a hand sanitizing unit. Boarding and deplaning are also different, taking place in stages to minimize movement.

We are beyond ecstatic and honored to receive the Skytrax 5-Star Covid-19 Airline Safety Rating, the highest possible rating from the world’s leading, independent aviation ratings and audit organization,” The Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, Mr. Andre Viljoen, said in a statement. “Credit for this first ever 5-Star Rating goes to our entire Fiji Airways team who diligently maintain these Covid safety standards and protocols flight after flight. We continuously enhance our Travel Ready program as the science evolves, so customers can fly assured that we have their safety and wellbeing as our highest priority.”

The airline joins five others worldwide to receive the highest rating. The others include Air Baltic, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Oman Air and Qatar Airways.

Other airlines to receive lower ratings include Air France, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa. As of writing, over 40 airlines had either received their rating or were waiting for its publication.

“Fiji Airways have developed a very rigorous and comprehensive Covid-19 safety program branded as Travel Ready, and their attention to detail is a key factor in achieving this highest Covid-19 Airline Safety Rating,” Skytrax’s Edward Plaisted said in a statement. “Covid safe air travel must ensure there are no weak links in the travel chain, and Fiji Airways have created systems and procedures that are robust at every point of the customer’s journey, and this is well supplemented with their use of Customer Wellness Champions. Whilst Covid safety is at the forefront of priorities, it is pleasing to see that all aspects of the outstanding Fijian hospitality are very much a part of this.”

The Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating is not the only measure of pandemic safety, though. SimpliFlying and APEX also have their own ratings for both airports and airlines.

Connor Sadler
Latest posts by Connor Sadler (see all)

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  • Connor Sadler

    Connor has been in love with flying since the first time he boarded a plane when he was 5 years old. He loves all things aviation, and he hopes to make that his full time career in the future.

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