Fiji Airways is excited to announce a new direct route between Cairns and Nadi Fiji, with the inaugural flight set to commence on 10 April 2025. The thrice-weekly service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on the state-of-the-art Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
This is the first time Australians in Northern Queensland will be able to fly directly to Fiji, with the flight taking approximately four hours. Australians will be able to book the new flights from today, with special introductory fares starting from just $539 AUD Lite return* to Nadi Fiji, just $999 AUD Value return* to Los Angeles and San Francisco via Fiji and from $1,099 AUD Value return* to Dallas Fort Worth in Texas via Fiji, book now via fijiairways.com and participating travel agents until 26 November 2024.
The new Cairns to Nadi route will add 53,000 seats a year into the market and expands Fiji Airways global network, offering Australians and tourists convenient access to the Northern Hemisphere. The new route aligns with Fiji Airways Nadi - Dallas Fort Worth schedule, operating on the same days, and allows passengers travelling from Cairns to Dallas and vice versa a seamless and time-efficient connection, via Nadi. From there, travellers have access to other destinations across America and beyond.
Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, André Viljoen says the new route marks the sixth direct service from Australia to Fiji, creating new opportunities for travel.
“Our new service to Cairns is a further step in our network expansion, providing more travel options and enhanced connectivity for our customers. Northern Australia holds a special allure for many of our travellers, and we’re proud to bring them closer to it. This route also offers convenient onward connections from Cairns to Dallas via Nadi, making it easier than ever for travellers to access North America.”
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker says, “This announcement from Fiji Airways, Fiji’s national airline, is a game changer for our region.”
Fiji Airways’ guests now have direct access to Northern Australia, a region renowned for its vibrant tourism. Known worldwide for iconic attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is an ideal destination for travellers seeking both adventure and relaxation. The direct flight from Nadi to Cairns will create greater accessibility for Fijian travellers looking to explore Australia’s northern attractions while inviting Australians to experience the natural beauty, culture and legendary hospitality of Fiji.
“Not only does it open the South Pacific to locals as a great holiday destination or to visit loved ones, but maximising the growing network of Fiji Airways means fast, one-stop connectivity to North America via its hub in Nadi. Destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco are now just 16 hours away, slashing nearly three hours of travel time via an Australian domestic port.
“Likewise for international visitors heading to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, travel will become so much easier from April 2025. With Fiji Airways Oneworld membership and close alignment to American Airlines, many markets in North America are now within easy reach,” added Barker.
Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says the new flights will provide a significant boost for Far North Queensland tourism operators.
“More visitors from across the South Pacific and the USA will experience the wonders of Tropical North Queensland when these new flights start touching down direct from Fiji.
“They will carry up to 26,593 inbound passengers every year, generating more than $12 million per year in overnight visitor spend and creating 130 direct and indirect peak jobs.
“The flights will provide another avenue into Cairns for Fijian students and their families, and another freight route out for exports like fresh produce and seafood.
“The Queensland Government is proud to support these new services as we formulate a 20-year tourism plan to showcase Queensland’s natural beauty to the world, including the reef, rainforests, beaches and the outback.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mark Olsen, says “North America is currently our second largest market which has recovered by more than 74 per cent with 101,000 visitors in the past financial year. A one-hop service from North America to Cairns would create the potential for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to be the first port of arrival for more US travellers.
“The new Fiji Airways flights come after substantial investment in the North American market by TTNQ with the assistance of the Federal Government’s International Tourism Recovery Program. To date we have launched 18 campaigns in the US and Canadian markets with seven of those completed generating more than $15 million in sales.”
The new Cairns route will help to strengthen tourism, trade and cultural exchange between the two countries, reinforcing Fiji Airways' role in connecting the South Pacific with the world.
Fiji Airways' award-winning service and renowned hospitality will delight guests, on the state-of-the-art Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Economy passengers can enjoy complimentary full-flight text Wi-Fi on the new service and business class guests have access to complimentary full-flight browsing Wi-Fi to stay connected whilst travelling.
*Flights are per person. Fares are on sale for a limited time until 26 November 2024 and valid for travel between 10 April 2025 - 30 October 2025