NATIONAL airline Fiji Airways has confirmed its Canberra Airport flights will be temporarily suspended from next year with the final flight scheduled for January 31, 2027.
Fiji Airways’ chief network, revenue and alliances officer Russell Shaw said this was a targeted network adjustment and not a reduction of the airline’s overall capacity.
“This is a temporary suspension which is part of ongoing work to ensure our aircraft are deployed where they can deliver the strongest performance and create the greatest positive impact for Fiji, our tourism industry and our wider network,” he said.
“The first ‘cancelled service’ is 5 February, 2027.
“This is a targeted network adjustment based on where demand and performance are strongest across our network.”
He said the capacity currently on the Canberra route was being redeployed to areas where it could deliver better results.
“Our team is contacting every guest affected directly to arrange alternative travel. This includes rebooking onto our daily Sydney–Nadi connections, or a full refund if that’s what the guest prefers.
“Canberra travellers retain access to Fiji via our daily Sydney to Nadi services, and the capacity coming off the Canberra route is being redeployed elsewhere in our network where demand and performance are stronger so our broader footprint in Australia, anchored by Sydney, continues.”
Meanwhile, Canberra Business Chamber’s chief executive Greg Harford said they were sad to see the announcement of the end of Fiji Airways’ flights to Canberra.
“The route to Nadi has been positive for the tourism sector and has provided good onward connectivity to North America and the world,” he said.
“The chamber believes there is significant demand for international travel via Canberra Airport from both the city of Canberra and the surrounding region and is very supportive of new routes being established that connect us to the world.
“There are clearly some economic challenges at present, but the Chamber hopes that Fiji Airways will consider returning the future.”
