Jarryd Hayne Named Fiji Airways Global Ambassador
June 17 2016
by Arishma Devi, NADI
Fiji Airways has announced the famous Fijian-International sports star, Jarryd Hayne, as its new global ambassador.
Supporting the airline’s efforts to promote Fiji to its key markets, the appointment sees not only act as an ambassador for the airline, but also for the destination he also calls home, San Francisco. He was a running back for the San Francisco 49ers.
The announcement was made at the Fiji Airways press conference at Denarau Yacht Club in Nadi yesterday where the contract was signed and ahead of the airline’s inaugural flight from Fiji to San Francisco.
Fiji Airways has launched a new direct seasonal service to San Francisco to provide its key markets – including Fiji, Australia and NZ – a new way to fly to North America and beyond.
Fiji Airways managing director/chief executive, Andre Viljoen said: “We’re delighted to have Jarryd onboard, and have him fly like a Fijian on Fiji Airways.
“As well as being loved in Fiji, he has a global following and as we launch a new route to and from San Francisco, we hope more Americans will choose Fiji as their next stop.”
“The new San Francisco route provides our Fijian customers a direct connection to the popular city of San Francisco, and for those in Australia and New Zealand, the perfect opportunity for a pre- or post-trip stopover in beautiful Fiji.
“Jarryd speaks very highly of both destinations, so we hope he will help us encourage more people to travel to both.
“With the new route expanding our reach in North America, with onward connections to most US and Canadian cities, we expect the route will prove very popular.”
Role and recongition
In his role as ambassador, Hayne will feature on the airline’s promotional material and help promote their network destinations to their relevant markets.
Fiji Airways Executive general manager Sales and Marketing, Andrew Stanbury, said Hayne will be helping promote Fiji Airways and Fiji to the rest of the world.
“This will be including the many Australians and American customers who can now fly on us to three American ports, Honululu, Los Angeles and as of today, we’ll be adding San Francisco to that,” he said.
“Jarryd is very rare with someone who can call Fiji, Australia and the United States home.
“We at the Fiji Airways have been busy lately sending our presence offshore and overseas in order to be able to bring more Fijians and more Pacific islanders home where they can reconnect with their friends and families.”
Excitement building
Meanwhile, Hayne said he is looking forward to the partnership with Fiji Airways.
“This is an exciting week for me…I have returned to the country half my family is from, I’m training with the best rugby team in the world, and I’ve been appointed an ambassador for Fiji’s national airline,” Hayne said.
“As it continues to grow and represent Fiji across the globe, the country is very proud of the airline, and I feel honoured to be part of it.
“I love this country and its people, so I hope I can help encourage more people to travel to Fiji, and experience all that it has to offer.”
He said he looked forward to flying to San Francisco when he got a bit of time off.
