NATIONAL carrier Fiji Airways has expanded its footprint in Australia with the introduction of direct flights between Nadi and the Gold Coast.
The new service launched this week marked the airline’s 26th international route and is anticipated to increase tourism, business travel, and economic ties between Fiji and South-East Queensland.
Managing director and chief executive officer Paul Scurrah said the demand for the new air route has exceeded expectations for the national airline since tickets first went on sale in December.
“With the Gold Coast now Australia’s sixth largest city and one of the country’s fastest growing regions, this was a natural next step for Fiji Airways, and we’re incredibly proud that the Gold Coast has now become our seventh destination in Australia,” Mr Scurrah said. “This new service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays aboard our modern Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, adding more than 53,000 seats annually between the two destinations.
“At Fiji Airways, we are incredibly proud to connect Fiji to the world and to showcase the warmth, happiness and spirit of Fiji’s people to every guest who travels with us.”
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officiated as chief guest at the launch of the new direct service from Nadi to Gold Coast held at the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge on June 11, 2026.
He said the new air route would further strengthen Fiji’s strategic objective of becoming the leading aviation hub of the Pacific, consistent with its national development agenda.
“Nadi International Airport is increasingly serving as a critical gateway not only to Fiji, but to the wider Pacific region,” Mr Rabuka said.
“Through Fiji Airways’ expanding network, passengers from the Gold Coast can now connect seamlessly through Nadi to destinations across Fiji, the Pacific, North America and beyond.
“This includes efficient onward connectivity to major international destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Honolulu.
“In this way, Fiji is strengthening its position as a connective hub between the Pacific and the global economy, supporting our broader Vision 2050 aspiration of deeper global integration.”
Tourism Fiji chief executive officer Dr Paresh Pant said their marketing team would roll out a major campaign next month (July), targeting the Gold Coast market.
“It is a very important market segment for us,” Dr Pant said.
“The marketing activities that we will be doing in a localized sense is important because Gold Coast naturally is a tourism hotspot for domestic Australians.
“So again, once we put our messaging out there in the space, it just gives us the extra captive audience that “hey, you have been here this time, next time take a hop over to Fiji as well”.
Gold Coast Airport chief executive officer Amelia Evans noted that collaboration was vital in this new direct service between Nadi and the Gold Coast.
“We know that this is an important connection, not only because it is a route that Fiji Airways is putting on but because it is a time of partnership,” Ms Evans said.
“The 10 million people that live in our catchment, this is a new opportunity for them to experience what Fiji can give them.”
Fiji Airways staff bid farewell to the Fiji Airways’ Inaugural flight to Gold Coast, Australia at Nadi International Airport yesterday. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
