Fiji Airways has announced it plans to welcome back international travellers later this year, saying it is on track to complete its return to its commercial flying programme, internally termed “Fly Ready”.

With Fiji rapidly rolling out vaccinations, the nation is on track to have its entire working population fully vaccinated by November, while its national airline now has 97 percent of its staff fully vaccinated, with all customer-facing employees already fully vaccinated.

While there is no confirmed date for when Australia plans to relax its international border restrictions, Fiji Airways has welcomed New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement that 80 percent double-dose vaccinations will allow for international travel options to be looked at.

As Fiji’s national carrier celebrates its 70th anniversary, Fiji Airways’ managing director and chief executive officer Andre Viljoen said the best present they could receive is knowing that they can welcome Australian guests back onboard in the near future.

“We’re on track to welcome our Australian guests back on board with a big Fijian Bula,” Viljoen said.

A reopening framework is being finalised in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Fijian Government’s COVID Response Management Team.

“Our flight schedules will be released immediately following an official announcement by the Government which outlines border requirements and travel framework. One of these will undoubtedly be that visitors must be fully vaccinated, a position Fiji Airways strongly supports.

“We’re the only airline in the Australia-Pacific region, and one of only a handful in the world, to achieve a Skytrax 5-Star COVID Safety rating, as well as the highest “DIAMOND” or Hospital Grade certification for APEX Health Safety powered by Simpliflying.

“With the processes and procedures we have put in place to ensure safe travel, there’s no reason we can’t realise that dream sooner rather than later.”