The Gold Coast is set to welcome a new airline to the city, opening up flights to one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians.
Fiji Airways has announced an expansion of its Australian network, with direct flights between the Gold Coast and Nadi, starting in June.
The airline will operate its Boeing 737-MAX 8 on the route three times per week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The new route is set to be an attractive option for Gold Coasters looking for an alternative destination to places like Bali, with the flight taking just three hours.
The popularity of Fiji is booming, with nearly 450,000 Australians visiting the Pacific nation in 2024.
“The Gold Coast is a natural fit for Fiji Airways. It is a thriving hub for tourism, business, and major global events, and its population and infrastructure growth make it an increasingly important part of Australia’s future,” Fiji Airways MD and CEO Paul Scurrah said.
“This new direct service strengthens ties between Fiji and Australia, unlocking significant opportunities for both outbound and inbound travel.”
Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
But it’s not just a holiday in paradise that is set to pique the interest of Gold Coasters.
The new route will also allow travellers to take advantage of Fiji Airways’ onward connections to destinations including Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans says it was another exciting milestone for the Gold Coast.
“What’s particularly exciting about this route is that, on top of gaining another spectacular holiday destination for locals, this connection with Fiji will further open up the Gold Coast to the world,” she said.
“Fiji Airways has strong links into the United States and Canada, so this service will also give travellers the option to fly from North America to the Gold Coast via Fiji.:
The flights will open up an extra 53,000 seats into the market each year, with inbound flights forecast to pump more than $51 million into the Gold Coast economy.
To celebrate the news, Fiji Airways is offering special introductory fares starting from $549 return to Nadi and $999 return to North America, including Los Angeles, Vancouver and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Sale fares will be available until December 31.
Photo: Supplied
