First came the direct flights to Qatar, then non-stop services to mainland China and now Adelaide is getting a little South Pacific love with flights to Fiji.
Fiji Airways today revealed plans to commence twice weekly Nadi-Adelaide services from 30 June next year.
The airline will utilise its Boeing 737-800 on the route, with FJ961 departing Nadi on Monday and Friday at 4.30pm to arrive in Adelaide at 8.30pm, while FJ960 will take off from Adelaide at 10.00pm on Monday and Friday to arrive in Nadi at 5.35am the following morning.
The service will not only add to Fiji Airways’ existing portfolio in Australia – currently flying from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – but also give South Australians additional options when flying to the South Pacific or even onward to places like the US.
Hold up, the US?
Yes, Fiji Airways can connect South Australians to L.A. or even San Francisco, which became a part of the airline’s network earlier this year. Fiji Airways even appointed footy player, Jarryd Hayne, who was playing for San Francisco at the time, to be an official representative.
The carrier’s Managing Director and CEO, Andre Viljoen, is hoping the new service will sway South Australians to choose Fiji as a stopover to the US over Australian cities.
“[This] will allow us to bring our unique Fijian hospitality to South Australia and will provide an alternative route to the United States via Nadi.”
Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO
Viljoen and Adelaide Airport’s Mark Young believe the service will also help the Fijian community living in South Australia connect more easily to family and friends in Fiji.
“South Australia’s strong Fijian community will benefit from a direct connection to Nadi to bring them closer to family and friends,” Young explained.
Flights are now on sale with return economy airfares starting from $799 per person.
Meanwhile, over the last 12 months, air travel from Adelaide has drastically grown to include direct international services to Doha and China’s Guangzhou. Upgraded aircraft product has also been introduced to the city such as Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class on services to Kuala Lumpur.
Domestically, Adelaide Airport has also welcomed new services including Jetstar’s first flights from Adelaide to the Sunshine Coast.