For the first time ever, Fiji's international carrier, Fiji Airways has set out a strategic plan to increase the number of local pilots flying for the airline from one third to two thirds.
CEO and Managing Director, Stefan Pichler said Fiji Airways is aiming to hire 14 new local pilots soon to start off this process.
Pichler said two thirds of their pilots are expatriates at the moment and he is focused with his team to change this over the next five years.
Previous heads of Fiji Airways had earlier said that they did not have more local pilots because they did not have enough qualified pilots.
Pichler disputes this as he says people should just see the number of Fijian pilots flying for other airlines.
Pichler said the airline will increase its fleet size by 25% with the purchase or leasing of four new aircrafts, including one A330-200, two B737-800s and two ATR72 600s one as a replacement for an ATR 42-500, by 2017.
He said the airline will also put in place an aggressive financial performance strategy to increase operating profits above $100million, which has been planned assuming fuel prices and currency exchange rates at the current levels.
Pichler added that they are also looking to increase their total staff numbers by 28.5% and will invest in a trainee programme so they can qualify local people in roles across the company.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
