Fiji Airways Unlocks Gold Coast–Nadi Direct Flights with Boeing 737 MAX 8 Service

Fiji Airways, the national carrier of Fiji, is significantly expanding its Australian network. The airline announced new direct flights connecting the Gold Coast, Australia, and Nadi, Fiji. This new service will begin operations on June 11, 2026.

The route establishes the Gold Coast as Fiji Airways' seventh Australian destination. This strategic move strengthens the airline's presence in its largest international market. The new connection replaces previous one-stop journeys for travelers in the region.

Service Details and Capacity

The new Gold Coast–Nadi service will operate three times a week. Flights are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The flight time is projected to be just over three hours. Fiji Airways will deploy the modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on this route.

This thrice-weekly schedule will add a total of 53,000 seats to the market annually. This capacity boost aims to meet accelerating travel demand. It provides a faster, more convenient travel option for passengers.

Strategic and Economic Impact

Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Paul Scurrah highlighted the route's importance. He stated the Gold Coast is a "natural fit" for the airline. The region is experiencing growth in tourism, business, and infrastructure. This direct service is expected to strengthen ties between Fiji and Australia.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans welcomed the new service. She noted the route makes getaways to Fiji easier for Australians. It also allows more Fijians to visit friends and family on the Gold Coast. The route is supported by the Queensland government's Connecting Queensland Fund. It is estimated to contribute $51 million to the local economy.

Broader Network Connectivity

The new service offers significant benefits beyond the immediate route. Travelers from the Gold Coast can now access one-stop connections via Nadi International Airport (NAN). This opens new pathways to Fiji Airways' North American destinations. These include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Vancouver, and Dallas Fort Worth. This positions Nadi as a key hub for South Pacific and North American travel. The expansion signals the airline's commitment to carrying connecting passengers.

Market Context and Tourism Growth

This expansion capitalizes on the robust Australia-Fiji tourism growth. Australia is Fiji's largest source market for tourism. In 2024, nearly 450,000 Australians visited Fiji. This represented a five percent increase from the previous year. Fiji's tourism sector welcomed a record 982,938 tourists by air in 2024. Australians accounted for 46% of all arrivals that year. The Gold Coast route aims to sustain this positive trajectory. The airline is offering special introductory return fares to mark the launch.

For more commercial aviation news and analysis, industry stakeholders are closely watching Pacific travel developments.

• Key Takeaways:

• Fiji Airways launches three-times-weekly direct flights between Gold Coast (OOL) and Nadi (NAN) starting June 11, 2026.
• The route utilizes the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and adds 53,000 annual seats to the market.
• Gold Coast becomes the airline's seventh Australian destination, enhancing one-stop connectivity to North America.
• The service is expected to inject an estimated $51 million into the local Queensland economy.