While serving as the managing director and CEO of Fiji Airways, experienced aviation business leader David Pflieger led the company to achieve a positive impact on its local communities. In addition to guiding Fiji’s largest national airline in initiatives to bolster sustainability and preserve the island nation’s natural environment, Mr. Pflieger orchestrated key partnerships that benefited public health. In a joint effort with Zens Medical Centre, Fiji Airways helped to establish Fiji’s first wellness clinic in May 2013. The Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic now provides a wide range of preventable health resources aimed at curbing many of the most common avoidable causes of death among Fijians, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The partnership between Fiji Airways and Zens Medical Centre has also helped to promote the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet for long-term health. Beyond facilitating the clinic’s inception, Fiji Airways contributed $40,000 to pay off financing for the facility’s dialysis machine and made an additional three-year pledge of $100,000 to provide free preventive care to both Fiji Airways employees and the general public. Within its first month of operation, the Fiji Airways Wellness Clinic served more than 70 patients and provided preventive health care screenings for over 500 individuals in 2014. Going forward, the clinic expects to treat approximately 960 patients each year.
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An experienced aviation industry professional, David “Dave” Pflieger is a dedicated philanthropist with a commitment to sustainability efforts and corporate social responsibility (CSR). David Pflieger’s early work in this area included overseeing the establishment of Virgin America’s CSR program and leading the airline’s “Green Team,” which partnered with the U.S. EPA to examine every area of the company’s operations in order to measure and manage the company’s carbon footprint. Virgin America’s “Green Team,” which consists of workers from every department of the company, including pilots, dispatchers, in-flight crew, and airport guest services, is focused on reducing the airline’s carbon footprint and exploring new venues to enhance its sustainability measures for both air and ground operations. Meeting quarterly, the team discusses matters of sustainability and makes recommendations about upcoming projects, which may range from improving efficiencies and green procurement and to promoting resource conservation and recycling. Achievements of the “Green Team” to date include beach clean-ups, an onboard recycling program, the addition of organic and healthy items to the airline’s in-flight menu, and participation in the 2010 and 2011 Great Race for Clean Air. In addition, the team created a bike-sharing program in Fort Lauderdale for use by pilots and in-flight crew on layovers. It also initiated the collection of renewable materials in airports where recycling is not possible. To learn more about the Green Team and its accomplishments, visit virginamerica.com/cms/corporate-responsibility/collaboration. A skilled professional in the aviation industry, David “Dave” Pflieger served as the CEO and Managing Director for Air Pacific, which he later rebranded to Fiji Airways. While at Air Pacific, David Pflieger helped ensure the education of underprivileged children in Fiji by funding scholarships for those in need through the airline’s Wings of Hope program. Wings of Hope was originally started as a means to distribute unused foreign coins collected from passengers via Air Pacific’s “Cash for Kids program”. Under Dave Pflieger’s leadership however, Air Pacific broadened Wings of Hope and partnered with the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) to create direct scholarships for books, tuition, and other necessary school supplies for children living in poverty in Fiji. Notably, the partnership, allowed Air Pacific to donate over $160,000 in company funds to promote education and also help families and children affected by cyclones and severe floods in 2012 and 2013—floods which damaged homes and crops and prevented families from sending their children to school. To learn more about Wings of Hope and its initiatives, visit fijiairways.com/about-fiji-airways/wings-of-hope. Dedicated to honoring American service members, Island Air offered select discounts to eligible military personnel on Veterans Day 2015. On November 11, the airline enabled active and retired military members to purchase interisland flights with a special 50 percent discount on base fares. For more than 35 years, Island Air has offered a large volume of flights between Hawaiian destinations such as Lanai, Oahu, and Maui. To purchase discounted tickets, veterans could visit the Island Air ticket counters at Honolulu International Airport, Lanai Airport, and Kahului Airport. Military personnel also had the opportunity to visit Wet ’n’ Wild Hawaii, where they enjoyed special admission and the opportunity to purchase discounted plane tickets on site. Island Air CEO Dave Pflieger hailed the discount as a way to recognize the selfless service of men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. Pflieger, a former officer and B52 pilot in the U.S. Air Force, expressed hope that the promotion would enable service members to spend quality time with their families in Hawaii.
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About David Pflieger
David Pflieger - Senior Airline Executive
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