Fiji Airways is set to broaden its footprint in Australia with the announcement of a new nonstop service between Nadi and the Gold Coast, a move that officially makes the Queensland leisure hub the carrier’s seventh Australian destination.

The route, slated to commence on June 11, 2026, underscores the growing importance of Australia to Fiji’s national airline and signals renewed confidence in trans-Tasman and Pacific leisure travel.

More News:

Gold Coast Confirmed as Fiji Airways’ Seventh Australian Gateway

The airline revealed via its corporate channels that Gold Coast Airport will join Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Cairns on its Australian network, cementing the country’s role as Fiji Airways’ largest international market.

The new Gold Coast link is being marketed as a leisure-to-leisure connection that ties together two of the South Pacific’s most tourism-dependent coastal regions.

Services will operate three times weekly from Fiji’s main hub at Nadi International Airport, with departures on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. From June 11, 2026, flight FJ981 is scheduled to leave Nadi at 9:15 a.m., arriving at Gold Coast at 11:30 a.m., before returning as FJ980 at 12:30 p.m. and landing back in Nadi at 5:55 p.m.

The timetable is designed to suit both short-break holidaymakers and longer-stay visitors on either side of the Pacific.

Fiji Airways has selected its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft for the route, offering a flight time of just over three hours and adding around 53,000 seats annually between the two destinations.

For Gold Coast residents, the route delivers the first direct link to Fiji on the national carrier, eliminating the need to backtrack to Brisbane or Sydney for a Fiji holiday or onward long-haul connections.

Boost to Tourism Economies on Both Sides of the Pacific

Local authorities and tourism officials in Queensland are positioning the new flights as a multi-million-dollar win for the region.

Forecasts from state and airport stakeholders suggest the Nadi–Gold Coast connection could inject in excess of 50 million Australian dollars into the Gold Coast economy each year, supporting more than one hundred jobs across hospitality, retail, transport and tourism services.

Queensland Airports Limited, which operates Gold Coast Airport, has described the service as a natural fit for a destination that has rebuilt its visitor economy around coastal leisure, events and family travel.

With Fiji consistently ranked among the most popular overseas holiday destinations for Australians, particularly families and couples, industry representatives expect high load factors from launch.

For Fiji, the service is also expected to spur additional inbound arrivals from Australia, which already provides the bulk of visitor numbers to the islands.

Tourism Fiji and local hotel operators are anticipating stronger booking flows during school holidays and shoulder seasons as Queenslanders gain easier access to Fiji’s resorts, cruises and outer-island experiences without needing to connect via other Australian cities.

Strategic Connectivity for North American and Pacific Travelers

Beyond point-to-point traffic, the Gold Coast route has been framed by Fiji Airways leadership as a strategic connector into the airline’s expanding long-haul network.

Nadi already serves as a South Pacific hub for Fiji Airways flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Vancouver and Dallas Fort Worth, the latter being the longest route in its system.

By adding the Gold Coast as a nonstop option, the carrier is effectively opening a new one-stop corridor between the southern Queensland tourism belt and major North American cities.

Travelers from the United States and Canada will be able to connect through Nadi and reach the Gold Coast on a single ticket, benefitting from coordinated schedules and through-checked baggage.

This enhanced connectivity dovetails with Fiji Airways’ ongoing integration into the oneworld alliance, through which passengers can access a global network of more than 900 destinations and take advantage of reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.

For alliance partners and codeshare carriers, the new route adds another tourism-driven gateway to Australia that can be fed from North Asia, North America and beyond via Fiji.

Schedule, Aircraft and Onboard Experience

The thrice-weekly operation will be flown by Fiji Airways’ Boeing 737 Max 8 jets, part of a modernization program that has seen the airline upgrade both regional and medium-haul routes with more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The Max 8s are configured with economy and business class cabins, offering seatback or personal-device entertainment, complimentary meals and Fijian hospitality as standard.

Departures from Nadi in the mid-morning and arrivals on the Gold Coast just before lunchtime place travelers in an ideal position to either check into beachfront hotels or connect to domestic flights and ground transport with minimal waiting time.

The midday return from the Gold Coast back to Nadi allows same-day same-terminal transfers at Nadi for evening departures to North America.

Gold Coast Airport, operating on year-round Queensland time from a single, integrated terminal, is well positioned to accommodate the new international service.

Shared domestic and international facilities are expected to simplify connections for travelers who may combine a Fiji trip with wider Australian itineraries that include Sydney, Melbourne or regional Queensland.

Introductory Fares Aimed at Stimulating Early Demand

To mark the launch, Fiji Airways is rolling out promotional return Lite fares from Fiji to the Gold Coast starting from 799 Fijian dollars, with offers available for sale until December 31, 2025.

From Australia, special launch pricing starts from around 549 Australian dollars return between Gold Coast and Nadi, with bundled fares from 999 Australian dollars return for itineraries that continue on to North American gateways via Fiji.

The introductory fare window covers travel from June 11 through November 30, 2026, spanning the peak southern winter period when Fijian resorts typically experience strong demand from Australian travelers seeking warmer weather.

The airline has indicated that these deals will be capacity controlled and available on select dates, a common approach used to prime the market ahead of route inaugurals.

Travel agents and tour operators on the Gold Coast are expected to respond with package deals combining Fiji Airways flights, accommodation and on-the-ground activities in both destinations.

The combination of new air capacity and headline fares is likely to feature heavily in winter-sun promotions targeted at families, couples and groups in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Gold Coast Airport’s Growing International Role

The addition of Fiji Airways strengthens the Gold Coast’s position as an increasingly important international entry and exit point for Australia, particularly for leisure-focused routes.

The airport has steadily rebuilt and diversified its long-haul portfolio since international borders reopened, attracting carriers that see value in connecting directly to the region’s theme parks, beaches and event calendar.

Officials note that the airport’s year-round alignment with Australian Eastern Standard Time, its compact single-terminal layout and expanding ground transport links all contribute to its appeal for overseas airlines.

For Fiji Airways, the Gold Coast represents a sizable and growing catchment area encompassing not only the city itself but also northern New South Wales and Brisbane’s southern suburbs.

By offering a direct Fiji link from the Gold Coast, the airline is also capitalizing on a shift among travelers who prefer to avoid the larger capital-city hubs where possible.

This mirrors broader trends in the aviation sector in which secondary and regional airports are increasingly tapped for point-to-point leisure routes once demand reaches a critical mass.

Fiji Airways’ Wider Growth and Alliance Strategy

The Gold Coast announcement comes amid a broader expansion of Fiji Airways’ Australian operations. Earlier in 2025, the airline launched flights to Cairns, another leisure-oriented Queensland market, also with a three-times-weekly schedule using Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

Adelaide frequencies are being increased, and services to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane continue to form the backbone of the carrier’s Australian network.

At the same time, Fiji Airways has been strengthening its global positioning through full membership in the oneworld alliance and close cooperation with alliance carriers.

Integration into the group’s frequent flyer and lounge network, combined with strategic long-haul additions such as Dallas Fort Worth, has given the airline new tools to compete for transit traffic across the Pacific and within the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia remains central to that strategy. With seven destinations now in its Australian portfolio, Fiji Airways is able to offer more granular coverage of key tourism and population centers while feeding its transpacific and regional routes.

The Gold Coast launch is expected to further anchor Fiji’s role as both a destination and a hub for travelers moving between North America and Australasia.

FAQ

Q1: When do Fiji Airways flights between Nadi and the Gold Coast start?
The new nonstop service is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, with flights operating three times each week.

Q2: How often will Fiji Airways fly between Nadi and the Gold Coast?
The airline will operate three flights per week, with services on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays in each direction.

Q3: What aircraft will operate the Gold Coast route?
Fiji Airways plans to use its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft on the Nadi–Gold Coast route, configured with both economy and business class cabins.

Q4: How long is the flight between Nadi and the Gold Coast?
The scheduled flight time is just over three hours, making it a relatively short hop between Fiji and the southeast Queensland coast.

Q5: What are the planned flight numbers and timings?
Flight FJ981 is scheduled to depart Nadi at 9:15 a.m. and arrive on the Gold Coast at 11:30 a.m., while FJ980 will depart the Gold Coast at 12:30 p.m. and arrive in Nadi at 5:55 p.m., subject to operational changes.

Q6: Are there introductory fares for the new route?
Yes, Fiji Airways has announced special introductory return Lite fares from Fiji to the Gold Coast starting from 799 Fijian dollars, and promotional fares from the Gold Coast from about 549 Australian dollars return, available for a limited booking period.

Q7: Which other Australian cities does Fiji Airways serve?
With the addition of the Gold Coast, Fiji Airways’ Australian network includes Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Cairns, making the Gold Coast its seventh destination in the country.

Q8: Can passengers connect to North America via this new route?
Yes, travelers can connect in Nadi to Fiji Airways services to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Vancouver and Dallas Fort Worth, creating one-stop options between the Gold Coast and key North American cities.

Q9: Will frequent flyer benefits apply on the Gold Coast flights?
As a member of the oneworld alliance, Fiji Airways offers mileage earning and redemption, status benefits and lounge access on eligible fares, and these benefits are expected to apply on the Gold Coast services in line with program rules.

Q10: How can travelers book tickets on the Nadi–Gold Coast route?
Tickets can be purchased through Fiji Airways’ direct sales channels and through participating travel agents, with fares and availability varying by travel date, season and booking class.