Carrier Moves to Increase Sustainability in Regional Flight

Fiji Airways recently signed an Expression of Interest letter with their intent to purchase Odys Aviation’s hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft. This is part of the carrier’s effort to reduce emissions and increase connectivity for passenger flights.

“There’s no doubt that the era of sustainable aviation is upon us and through our partnership with Odys Aviation, Fiji Airways is strengthening its focus on reducing aviation emissions and defining a roadmap to serve the next generation of travelers,” stated Fiji Airways CEO Andre Viljoen.

Fiji Airways, Fiji’s national airline, is based out of Nadi and Suva International Airports. Partnered with their domestic and regional subsidiary, Fiji Link, the carrier serves 108 destinations in more than 15 countries. Its flights are responsible for 70 percent of all Fiji visitors.

The airline plans to purchase Odys Aviation’s Laila aircraft. This hybrid-electric VTOL can carry two pilots and nine passengers at a time, utilizing flap-based thrust vectoring and box wings to produce lift. It is projected to have a 200-mile electric range, 400 miles total, with cruise speeds around 345 mph. Fiji Airways will employ the aircraft to connect the nation’s 330 islands.

The Laila will also be used to expand emergency medical service capabilities by permitting operations in previously unreachable areas.

This announcement follows Odys Aviation’s recent partnership with Honeywell. The two companies will be collaborating to design new Ground Control Stations that support Odys’s eVTOL operations in the Pacific.

Pilot programs with the Laila are slated to open in 2025.

“We’re thrilled to announce this EOI as the start of our collaboration with Fiji Airways,” commented James Dorris, CEO and Co-Founder of Odys Aviation, “and we’re looking forward to working with their team, the local authorities and the people of Fiji to drive the transition to sustainable aviation, and to realize the benefits of a more connected ecosystem across the region.”

FMI: www.fijiairways.com, www.odysaviation.com