Fiji Airways Eyes Major Widebody Expansion

Fiji Airways is looking to lease additional widebody aircraft as it takes the next stage of its growth more seriously than ever before.

While not an immediate need, Chief Executive Paul Scurrah said at a recent CAPA event that leasing more widebodies in the medium term was of interest as the company leaned more heavily on its existing fleet.

Fiji Airways isn’t looking to dramatically reset its fleet, preferring to be modest in its growth ambitions. However, it does see an opportunity to add something to the fleet while, where possible, squeezing more from its existing operational aircraft.

What aircraft could be on the table for Fiji Airways?

Scurrah did not provide specifics on aircraft type or timing; that leaves the door open to several possibilities to help cover widebody requests in the short to medium term, if leasing allows.

Fiji Airways has a fleet of Airbus A330s and A350s, which gives it commonality across its widebody fleet, complemented by single-aisle 737s from Boeing that serve the medium-haul network. The compact nature of the business is necessary to keep training costs and complexity as low as possible.

With the Airbus A350 scarce, the candidate for leasing is the A330, given Fiji Airways’ existing long-haul A330 operation; even if for just a short- to medium-term, integration would be relatively simple.

While the Airbus A350 is another angle for Fiji Airways, if it moves ahead with more widebody jets, the A350 is still in production. Given the model’s freshness, short-term leases are typically harder to obtain for an outgoing A330ceo-type family aircraft.

Fiji Airways doesn’t fly Boeing widebodies, and while it has studied the 787 for flying in the past, it chose not to proceed with that option, instead opting for the A350 family. Therefore, the Boeing 787 could be perceived as the less predictable choice, given it faces the same availability constraints as the A350.

Additionally, bringing this type on would also add complexity to the business unless a specific lease deal could be struck under a partnership, such as what IndiGo had with Norse Atlantic Airways. Under such an arrangement, Fiji Airways would have the support needed to operate the 787.

Fiji Airways is also aware that not every market needs a widebody; however, the pursuit of additional capacity indicates there is an appetite to expand frequency and offerings after a period of retreat and turbulence in 2026. With no decision made yet, no option is quite off the table.

Why More Widebodies For Fiji Airways?

Fiji Airways has been making shifts to its Airbus A350 operations and widebody flying throughout 2026 in response to the volatile price conditions and elevated fuel prices. The smaller airline has come under pressure.

Now, however, the admission that more widebody jets are a target is part of efforts to expand, something ingrained in the business for some time but has not been possible due to geopolitical shocks of an unexpected nature.

The older Airbus A330s are now moving crucially closer toward their replacement, and with the A350s flying the flag high, there’s an opportunity and equally a gap present. The problem, however, has been the required capacity driven by widebody jets able to serve locations such as Australia, New Zealand, North America and more.

Comments from Scurrah suggest that there is now room not just to scale the existing fleet as a sensible near-term solution until aircraft deliveries under lease agreements arrive. That drive has management clearly thinking ahead with future demand, retirement and an ambition to evolve.

With a small, modest fleet, the A350 acting as the flagship has positioned Fiji Airways well; now the evaluations must continue to determine if building the widebody operation with leases is a suitable choice despite volatile conditions.

The airline will not just consult internally but reach out to leasing providers, airlines and more to gauge what opportunities exist and whether any possible contract may be feasible.