Fiji Airways are returning two of their Airbus A330-200s to the lessor a few months ahead of the end of the lease. 

The decision is part of the company’s effort to diminish its fixed operating costs to sustain the airline through the coronavirus pandemic.

The pair of A330-200s (registered as DQ-FJO and DQ-FJP) have a few months left in the leasing agreements, as indicated by the airline. 

“The two aircraft were added to the fleet in 2018 to boost the capacity in the short-term, allowing for increase in frequency and launch of new routes like Tokyo (Narita),” said Andre Viljoen, the Chief Executive of Fiji Airlines. “The aircraft were invaluable to helping Fiji Airways recover schedules following disruptions caused by the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.”

Because of the pandemic measures and reduced passenger traffic load, both the A330s have been grounded since March 2020. 

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we worked hard with the lessors of these aircraft to allow for an early return by a few months,” continued Viljoen.

Following the return of the two A330s, the Fiji Airways fleet consists of three A330-200s, one A330-300, two A350-900s, two 737-800s, and five Boeing 737 Max 8s.