Fiji Airways Announced as Official Airline of the BNZ Crusaders
Fiji Airways, Fiji's National Airline, has announced their exclusive airline sponsorship of the BNZ Crusaders at an event in Christchurch earlier today. The announcement was made in the run up to the BNZ Crusaders versus Chiefs home game this Saturday.
Mr. Andre Viljoen, Managing Director & CEO Fiji Airways said: "We're delighted to announce our association with the BNZ Crusaders and to be their Official Airline. This announcement builds on the strong relationship that Fijians have with both rugby and New Zealanders. We have a strong connection with New Zealand and are proud of the fact that we've been flying to New Zealand since 1974.
New Zealand is our second largest market and Christchurch is a key growth market for us. We've demonstrated our commitment by increasing flights to three times a week, and now we've furthered this commitment by partnering with one of the proudest and most successful teams in the Super Rugby competition. We will work with the BNZ Crusaders to engage even more with Kiwis, and in particular people from Christchurch, over the next three years. Sport is a huge part of the lives of both Kiwis and Fijians and we look forward to welcoming Crusaders fans with our renowned Fijian hospitality."
Fiji Airways has negotiated the exclusive airline partnership until 2020, and will benefit from significant marketing and branding rights during this time.
BNZ Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said the new partnership was a great fit for both organisations, with strong links between the Crusaders and Fiji already existing: "We have a really strong support base in Fiji, and when we get the opportunity to travel and play there the boys love meeting the friendly Fijian fans. We have had a number of much-loved Fijian players in this team over the years, including Paula Bale, Vilimoni Delasau, Tabai Matson, Marika Vunibaka and Nemani Nadolo, and this year we have three Fijian players in the squad in Jone Macilai, Seta Tamanivalu and Manasa Mataele. This announcement just strengthens those existing bonds with Fiji even more."
The Crusaders join a proud Fiji Airways sponsorship portfolio, which features the entire suite of Fijian National Mens and Womens rugby teams (including Olympic Champion Fijian 7s Team), the Fiji International Golf tournament, and a number of high profile brand ambassadors. These include Fijian 7s captain Jerry Tuwai, Fijian Football Captain Roy Krishna, Former Fiji 7s Coach Ben Ryan and New Zealand Celebrity Chef Robert Oliver.
Fiji Airways currently operates 15 flights a week between New Zealand and Fiji, which includes three weekly services between Christchurch and Nadi, (flight time of under four hours). In addition, it's an easy, convenient one-stop flight to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Singapore. Fiji Airways is the only airline to offer child discounted airfares as well as a daily business class travel option directly from New Zealand to Fiji.