Air Pacific
Air Pacific has been serving the South Pacific since the late 40s. Here's a timeline of significant events in our airline history.
1947
Registered as Katafaga Estates Limited by Australian aviator Harold Gatty.
1951
Commenced regular domestic services. Over the years, Air Pacific's routes have been serviced by a changing fleet of aircraft including Dragon Rapides, De Havilland Herons, Drovers, a McDonnell Douglas Turbo-Beaver and DC3s as well as Hawker Siddeley 748s.
1971
Name changed to "Air Pacific." Fleet changed to Aerospace BAC1-11s and HS748.
1974
Commenced services to Auckland.
1975
Commenced services to Brisbane via Noumea.
1983
Began services to Honolulu from Nadi with a DC10.
1985
Formalized Management Support Agreement with Qantas.
1986
1st Year of profit. Air Pacific has been profitable every year since 1986.
1998
Qantas increased its equity in Air Pacific to 46.05%. The Fiji Government holds 51%. Staff now number 730, and the Engineering department was corporatised in September.
1999
Delivery of two Boeing 737-800s (DQ-FJG Island of "Kadavu" and DQ-FJH "Island of Gau")
2000
Due to political crises and ensuing dramatic decline in tourism arrivals, second of leased 747s (DQ-FJI) returned to Qantas.
2002
April 20th - 3rd service to Narita Japan commenced
2003
April 14th - 1st leased 747-400 (DQ-FJJ "Island of Vanua Levu") enters service
May 30th - $25.14 million profit announced
June 26th - 2nd leased 747-400 (DQ-FJL "Island of Viti Levu" delivered
June 27th - 4th service to Los Angeles commenced
June 28th - 747-200 returned to Qantas
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