Fiji Airways (FJ) has touched down in Cairns for the first time, creating a direct link between Tropical North Queensland and Fiji, bringing the United States closer than ever to Far North Queensland via Nadi.
Cairns Airport came alive with the sights and sounds of traditional Fijian dancers as the inaugural flight FJ971 landed just before 11:30 on Thursday morning, marking another milestone moment for the region’s international connectivity.
Announced in late 2024, the new direct Nadi–Cairns route, with a four-hour flight time, operates three times per week using the Boeing 737 MAX 8. It features eight business class seats and 162 economy seats.
The outbound service from Cairns departs at 12:25 pm AEST and arrives in Nadi at 6:35 pm local time. The new route is expected to inject 53,000 seats into the market annually and generate around $62 million for the Cairns economy over three years.
“This new route is a major milestone for Tropical North Queensland travellers and Australians eyeing a Fijian escape; the 333 islands cater to all types of holidaymakers,” said Andre Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Fiji Airways.
“We’re thrilled to provide faster one-stop connections to North America, saving three hours and skipping extra stopovers for Aussies in the region. It’s a big boost in convenience and global connectivity. Plus, our full oneworld membership and AAdvantage® rewards program unlock even more benefits for frequent flyers.”
Meanwhile, Richard Barker, Cairns Airport’s Chief Executive Officer, said the new flights will boost both inbound and outbound travel opportunities.
“Our community has welcomed this exciting new connection with open arms. It supports local tourism operators, strengthens trade, opens new education opportunities, and streamlines travel for family and friends.”
He added: “This fast, one-stop connectivity to North America is a game changer. Destinations like Los Angeles and San Francisco are now just 16 hours away, slashing nearly three hours of travel time.”
Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), said the service is well timed to grow market share in the high-value North American market.
“The US is currently our second-largest market, with 85,000 visitors in 2024. The new service via Fiji presents an opportunity to grow our market share, which has been as high as 22 per cent.”
He said TTNQ has invested heavily in North America with 20 aviation and trade campaigns, including a joint campaign with Fiji Airways running through to June 30, aimed at driving bookings on the new Cairns route.
“Our first 12 North American campaigns brought in $21 million in direct sales from 30,800 passengers. With Federal support from the International Tourism Recovery Program, we’ve achieved $54.9 million in publicity.”
The Cairns route is Fiji Airways’ 27th direct international service and its fifth Australian destination, joining Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.
Last week, Fiji Airways officially joined the oneworld airline alliance as a full member, giving Australian travellers new reasons to fly with Fiji’s national carrier.
From 1 April 2025, FJ customers will enjoy a full suite of oneworld benefits, including priority check-in and boarding, earning and redeeming miles and access to nearly 700 airport lounges worldwide.
Fiji Airways Cairns – Nadi Launch Fares
To celebrate, Fiji Airways is offering limited-time discounted return fares until Monday 14 April, including:
- Cairns to Nadi, from AU$539 Lite return*
- Cairns to Los Angeles or San Francisco, from AU$999 Value return*
- Cairns to Dallas-Fort Worth or Vancouver from AU$1,099 Value return*
All economy fares include meals, beverages, inflight entertainment, and carry-on baggage up to 7kg. LITE fares do not include checked bags, while value fares include 30kg of checked luggage.
With Nadi International Airport as its hub, FJ connects to 25 destinations in 14 countries, including Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo and its newest route to Dallas-Fort Worth – a significant win for Aussies heading to the US.
To book, visit fijiairways.com
