Nadi to Cairns flight to boost tourism and trade

An initiative that will significantly boost tourism and trade between Fiji and Cairns in Australia, Fiji Airways operated its inaugural Nadi to Cairns flight yesterday, launching the first direct, year-round air service between Fiji and Tropical North Queensland.

Fiji Airways says the new route operates three times a week and strengthens Fiji Airways’ position as a regional hub, with seamless connections through Nadi to North America and beyond.

They say 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.

Traditional Fijian dancers led celebrations across Cairns Airport’s international terminal as the inaugural flight, FJ971, touched down shortly before 11.30am yesterday.

Fiji Airways says discounted fares from Fiji to Cairns is $899 Lite return, on sale for a limited time until tomorrow.

Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Andre Viljoen says 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 says they are thrilled to provide faster one-stop connections to North America, saving three hours and skipping extra stopovers for Aussies in the region.

Viljoen reiterates it is a big boost in convenience and global connectivity.

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker says Fiji Airways’ direct flights to Cairns would entice more international visitors to Tropical North Queensland.

Baker says their community has welcomed this exciting new connection with open arms.

He says 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.

Fiji Airways says operating three times per week, their direct flights to Cairns further expand the national airline’s global network using the fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8.

They say this modern aircraft is equipped with eight business class seats and 162 economy class seats, all designed for optimal comfort. Fiji Airways says 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.

Australian Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell says the Crisafulli Government is proud to support tourism growth in Tropical North Queensland.

Powell says they know these additional flights will bring more visitors to our beautiful region so they can experience all the great offerings they have from mountain bike riding to snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said TTNQ had been investing heavily into the North American market with inbound tour operators and travel agents looking forward to the opportunities presented by the shorter flying time to Cairns.

He says the US is currently our second largest market with 85,000 visitors in 2024 and the new service via Fiji presents the opportunity to bring an estimated 52,000 additional US visitors annually injecting more than $160 million into the region’s economy.

Olsen says they are currently getting 16 per cent of Australia’s $2 billion US market so each market share percentage we can grow is an additional $2 billion for our economy. He says TTNQ has been investing heavily in the North American market undertaking 20 trade and aviation campaigns to date including a campaign in partnership with Fiji Airways which will run to June 30 to drive bookings on the Cairns route.

Their first 12 North American campaigns have achieved $21 million in direct sales with bookings from 30,800 passengers.

He says by utilising the Federal funding from the International Tourism Recovery Program, they have already achieved $54.9 million in publicity to drive awareness of Tropical North Queensland in North America.

The Nadi to Cairns route marks Fiji Airways’ 27th direct international service and the airline’s sixth Australian destination, with direct flights from Nadi also operating to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.