Canberra locals, we have good news. The highly anticipated Fiji Airways flights have officially started, with the first non-stop flight to Nadi, Fiji taking off on July 21, 2023, at 1:35 pm.
The momentous Fiji Airways service marks the first commercial international flight to depart Australia’s capital since March 2020. Travellers onboard, escaping the cold, are scheduled to land at Nadi International tonight at 7.40 pm (FJT) on the modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Travellers can book return Lite airfares on the new service starting from just $539. Although this introductory rate is only available until July 31, 2023, for select travel dates up to May 2024.
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“As the aviation industry recovers, and more planes and crew are brought back online, that opens up more opportunities for us,” he’d said. “People want to come, and if they put on the flights, the seats will fill.”
A One World and Qantas partner, Fiji Airways currently flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines had flown directly to Canberra before the pandemic but had yet to resume, meaning Canberra has been without an international connection.
Back in October 2022, Mr Barr had said discussions with Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines were ongoing. He also said that Air New Zealand wouldn’t make a decision on whether to start direct flights between Canberra and Auckland for another 18 months to two years.
“They are constrained by aircraft availability and pilots and crew at the moment,” Mr Barr said. “But they remain interested in the Canberra to Auckland route.”
This new route could prompt Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways to resume their international services or other airlines to start them new.
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