Fiji Airways has launched its first-ever direct service between the Gold Coast and Nadi, operating three times weekly and putting Fiji 3 hours and 25 minutes from South-East Queensland.
The inaugural Fiji Airways flight between Gold Coast Airport (OOL) and Nadi International Airport (NAN) takes off on 11 June 2026, the carrier’s first direct link between the two destinations and seventh Australian port.
Launch fares start from AUD$599 return in Lite Economy and $659 return in Value Economy for travel between 11 June 2026 and 15 May 2027, on sale until 14 June.
The service operates three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 8 fitted with 8 business-class seats and 162 in economy. The route adds more than 53,000 seats to the market each year.
FJ980 departs the Gold Coast at 12:30pm, arriving in Nadi at 5:55pm local time, a three-hour 25-minute flight. The return FJ981 leaves Nadi at 9:15am and lands on the Gold Coast at 11:30am.
Onward connections
The new Gold Coast-Nadi route also opens one-stop connections through Nadi to Fiji Airways’ wider international network, giving Queensland travellers a Fiji stopover option en route to North America.
Onward links include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Honolulu, plus key Pacific Island and Asian destinations. That makes a Fiji-plus-USA or Fiji-plus-Canada trip an easy sell for Gold Coast clients.
The Gold Coast joins Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and Canberra on the carrier’s Australian map. Fiji Airways is a full member of the oneworld alliance and uses the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program.
Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO Paul Scurrah said the inaugural service was a landmark moment for the airline and the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast shares Fiji’s warmth, energy and spirit of adventure. Since announcing this route, demand has been exceptional with strong forward bookings and today that excitement finally becomes a reality,” he said.
“We are delighted to bring our world-class hospitality to every Gold Coaster who steps on board, and as we pursue our vision to become the world’s happiest airline, this new connection is another proud step in that journey.”
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans was aboard the inaugural flight from Nadi to the Gold Coast.
“This marks a new chapter for the Gold Coast, so it was incredibly special to be on board and experience firsthand the connection we’ve worked so hard to deliver,” she said.
“We continue to see growing demand for more international services from Gold Coast Airport, driven by the region’s growing population, affluence and global reputation. Fiji is a popular destination in its own right and also an important hub, making it easier for international visitors to better access the Gold Coast from key markets like Los Angeles, Honolulu and Canada.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn pointed to the inbound opportunity, noting Fiji is a key market for the city.
“For the first time, travellers from North America and Canada will also have a direct link from Fiji into the Gold Coast. The region is a key market for our city with 51,000 visitors travelling to the Gold Coast in 2025, spending a total of $109 million,” he said.
The launch adds to growing momentum out of the Gold Coast, where Jetstar has been ramping up trans-Tasman capacity as demand for flights in and out of the city surges.
KARRYON UNPACKS: A direct Gold Coast link gives South-East Queensland travellers a sub-four-hour run to Fiji without backtracking through Brisbane, and the Nadi hub turns it into a one-stop flight to North America with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver or Honolulu.
