Fiji Airways was crowned Best Airline in the Australia-Pacific region for the second year running at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris.

The national carrier claimed the top spot ahead of bigger airlines – Air New Zealand and Qantas – and also claimed the Best Airline Staff for Australia & Pacific award.

CEO and managing director Andre Viljoen said Fiji Airways edge was its people.

“We may not have as many resources as larger airlines, but we have the Fijian spirit of hospitality and care,” he said.

“As Fiji’s National Airline, we embrace and champion these values in everything we do, and this sets us apart as an airline.”

Fiji Airways has improved in the World Airline Awards rankings for 2023 – up to 15th place from 36th place last year, and the national carrier also managed 12th place in Cabin Crew ranking globally.