Fiji Airways has landed in Cairns for the very first time and the new services are ideally times to connect with the carrier’s flights to and from North America.
The flights are a boost for Australia and Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, said the new, year-round service direct from Nadi brings Tropical North Queensland closer to the United States than ever before and provides seamless leisure opportunities for locals, creating the region’s first non-stop connection to Fiji with a flight time of just over four hours.
“This new route is a major milestone for Tropical North Queensland travellers and Australians eyeing a Fijian escape; the 333 islands cater to all types of holidaymakers,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to provide faster one-stop connections to North America, saving three hours and skipping extra stopovers for Aussies in the region.
‘It’s a big boost in convenience and global connectivity. Plus, our full oneworld membership and AAdvantage travel rewards program unlock even more benefits for frequent flyers including lounge access, priority boarding, and earning and redeeming miles across the extensive oneworld network,” he said.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said Fiji Airways’ direct flights to Cairns would entice more international visitors to Tropical North Queensland.
“Our community has welcomed this exciting new connection with open arms. Fiji Airways’ service offers locals a great, new holiday option and will streamline visits to family and friends while also supporting tourism operators, strengthening trade channels and providing new education opportunities,” he said.
“Critically, this route aligns with Fiji Airways’ Dallas-Fort Worth schedule, operating on the same days, with a perfect and time-efficient connection via Nadi.
“This fast, one-stop connectivity to North America is a game changer. Destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco are now just 16 hours away, slashing nearly three hours of travel time and eliminating the need for additional stops in other Australian ports,” Baker said.
Operating three times per week, Fiji Airways’ direct flights to Cairns further expand the national airline’s global network using the fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8.
This modern aircraft is equipped with eight business class seats and 162 economy class seats, all designed for optimal comfort.
The direct Nadi-Cairns service will inject 53,000 seats into the market each year and generate an estimated $62 million boost to the Cairns economy over the first three years.
The Nadi to Cairns route marks Fiji Airways’ 27th direct international service and the airline’s fifth Australian destination, with direct flights from Nadi also operating to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.