It’s time to pack your bags, because the Gold Coast’s connection to the Pacific just got a whole lot closer. At 11.30am today, Fiji Airways officially touched down at Gold Coast Airport, marking the launch of the national carrier’s first-ever direct service between the Gold Coast and Nadi.
The inaugural flight carried Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Fiji Airways CEO Paul Scurrah, and Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans. In true Fijian style, arrivals were greeted in the terminal with a customary Vanua ceremony, a traditional welcome reserved for significant national occasions and first visits.
With a three-hour and 25-minute flight time, locals can now swap the coast for Fiji’s 333 islands three times a week. Operating on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 service adds over 53,000 seats to the market every year.
Connecting the Coast to the World This new route offers Gold Coasters an easy tropical getaway with award-winning service. It also opens up a massive one-stop gateway to North America, including major connections to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Honolulu.
“The Gold Coast shares Fiji’s warmth, energy and spirit of adventure,” said Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Paul Scurrah. “Since announcing this route, demand has been exceptional with strong forward bookings and today that excitement finally becomes a reality.”
A Boost for Local Tourism The flights are expected to bring a significant boost to Queensland’s tourism industry. Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn noted that 51,000 North American visitors travelled to the region in 2025, spending $109 million. He added that the new route offers the opportunity to capture a larger share of the growing Fijian market.
Queensland Airports CEO Amelia Evans highlighted the long-term vision, pointing out the route’s value as an international gateway as the city looks toward the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Minister for Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell also backed the launch, noting the Connecting Queensland Fund supported the initiative to drive more direct international flights and create opportunities for local businesses.
To celebrate the launch, Fiji Airways has released a sale running from 10 to 14 June 2026. Travellers can book Lite Economy return fares from $599 AUD, valid for travel between 11 June 2026 and 15 May 2027.
