02/09/2023
FIJI AIRWAYS’ ‘ISLAND OF BEQA’ AIRBUS SET TO LAND
Fiji Airways will take delivery of a new Airbus A350 next week.
The aircraft, which will be registered as DQ-FAM and named Island of Beqa, was photographed landing at Malta International Airport after a maintenance check flight last week.
Horizon, a Malta-based aviation news outlet, stated in a post the airline had a ram air turbine extended under the aircraft’s belly.
“This is a power source to designated hydraulics and electrical systems in case of an emergency, which is usually tested during test flights,” Horizon said.
In July 2021, Fiji Airways returned its two leased A330-200 aircraft, Island of Beqa and Island of Vatulele, a few months ahead of the end of their lease.
In April, Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad said in Parliament that Fiji Airways would acquire two Airbus A350-900 aircraft to meet growth and travel demand.
The new Island of Beqa is scheduled to arrive in Fiji on August 15 (2023).