Air Pacific to Retire its Boeing 767-300ER

Air Pacific is to make some significant changes to its network at the start of next year after it retires its single Boeing 767-300ER from service to rationalise its fleet and help reduce operating costs. This will leave the airline with two 458-seat 747-400s for its long-haul routes, and one 737-700 and two 737-800s for its short- and medium-haul operations. This total includes a 737-800 due for delivery in November this year.

The Fijian carrier first introduced the 767 into its fleet in July 1990, using a former Air New Zealand -200 variant until December 1994. This was replaced by its current -300ER which was acquired new from International Lease Finance Corporation in September 1994. The aircraft will be returned to the lessor in January 2012 at which time the routes it currently serves will be either upgraded to the larger 747, will see additional frequencies using the smaller 737s or like flights from Nadi to Auckland and Sydney will be flown by a mix of narrow and widebody aircraft.