Fiji Airways (FJ), the national carrier of Fiji, has confirmed the launch of a new direct international service between Gold Coast Airport (OOL), Australia and Nadi International Airport (NAN), Fiji, scheduled to commence on 11 June 2026. This strategic expansion adds the Gold Coast as the airline’s seventh destination in Australia, enhancing connectivity across the Pacific and offering travellers a faster, more efficient route between two premier leisure and tourism markets.
The service will operate three times weekly — on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays — using the modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with an approximate flight time of just over three hours.
Fiji Airways Overview
To provide context about the airline at the center of this expansion, the following table highlights key operational and corporate details about Fiji Airways.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline Name | Fiji Airways |
| IATA Code | FJ |
| Base | Nadi International Airport (NAN), Fiji |
| Founded | 1951 (as Air Pacific) |
| Main Hub | Nadi International Airport (NAN) |
| Alliance | oneworld (from 01 April 2025) |
| Fleet Size | ~14 aircraft (as of late 2025) |
| International Destinations | 25+ countries |
| Australian Destinations | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Gold Coast |
| Website | fijiairways.com |
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Fiji’s Seventh Australian Route Details and Schedule
Fiji Airways has positioned this new route as a transformational addition to its Pacific network, aligning with increased travel demand between Australia and Fiji.
Key operational details:
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Departure and Arrival: Flights will connect Nadi (NAN) with Gold Coast (OOL) and vice versa.
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Weekly Frequency: Operates Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays reflecting both leisure and business demand patterns.
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Flight Time: Roughly 3+ hours each way, significantly faster than routings that previously required connections.
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Aircraft Type: The service will utilize the Boeing 737 MAX 8 narrow-body aircraft known for operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact relative to older models.
Fiji Airways NAN-OOL: Introductory Fares and Booking
To stimulate early demand, Fiji Airways is offering special introductory return fares from AUD $549 (or equivalent) for select travel dates, available for booking until 31 December 2025, reported Karryon. These promotional prices are expected to catalyze early adoption by leisure travelers and help establish the route’s viability in its inaugural year.
Schedule Example (June–November 2026)
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| FJ 980 | OOL → NAN | 09:15 | 11:30 |
| FJ 981 | NAN → OOL | 12:30 | 17:55 |
Amelia Evans, CEO of Queensland Airports Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of the new route:
“We know that Australians love holidaying in the beautiful islands of Fiji, and this new route will make their next getaway even easier….We’re also really looking forward to welcoming more Fijians to visit friends and family in Australia, and what better way than to fly direct to the Gold Coast…..Compared to capital city airports, Gold Coast Airport offers an easier and smoother arrivals experience – from the moment you land, your holiday begins!”
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Comparisons with similar route launches
To contextualize Fiji Airways’ Gold Coast expansion within broader aviation developments between Australia and the Pacific, the table below compares analogous recent route initiatives.
| Australian Route | Destination Airport (IATA) | Frequency (Approx) | Aircraft Type Used | Notes and References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nadi → Sydney | Sydney Airport (SYD) | Daily or multiple times weekly | Boeing 737 / Airbus A350-900 | Fiji Airways serves Sydney with both narrowbody and widebody aircraft on international flights; historically has A350 allocated to some SYD sectors. |
| Nadi → Melbourne | Melbourne Airport (MEL) | ~7/week (daily) | Boeing 737 / A330-family | Multiple frequencies supported by regional aircraft; the 737 family used widely on Australia routes. |
| Nadi → Brisbane | Brisbane Airport (BNE) | Frequent (several times weekly) | Boeing 737 / A330-family | Part of Fiji Airways’ core Australia network connecting key tourism market. |
| Nadi → Adelaide | Adelaide Airport (ADL) | ~3/week (increased from 2025) | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Route expanded post-COVID with 3 weekly flights on 737 MAX 8 aircraft. |
| Nadi → Canberra | Canberra Airport (CBR) | ~3/week | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Fiji Airways added Canberra to network using 737 MAX 8 to broaden regional access. |
| Nadi → Cairns | Cairns Airport (CNS) | ~3/week | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | First direct service to North Queensland, boosting connectivity and US connections. |
| Nadi → Gold Coast | Gold Coast Airport (OOL) | 3/week (from Jun 11, 2026) | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | New route starting in 2026 as part of network expansion with 53,000 seats per year |
Two key trends are something to remember:
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Increasing direct services between regional Australia and South Pacific hubs.
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Utilisation of fuel-efficient narrow-body jets on medium-haul international sectors.
According to Paul Scurrah, Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, the new Gold Coast – Nadi route highlights the airline’s ongoing commitment to serving the Australian market:
“The Gold Coast is a natural fit for Fiji Airways. It is a thriving hub for tourism, business, and major global events, and its population and infrastructure growth make it an increasingly important part of Australia’s future. This new direct service strengthens ties between Fiji and Australia, unlocking significant opportunities for both outbound and inbound travel.”
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The Aircraft That Fiji Will Utilize to Gold Coast
Fiji Airways is set to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8 for this route. According to Planespotters.net, Fiji has five Boeing 737 MAX8s and these have an average age of 6.4 years. Let’s have a look at these aircraft in detail:
| Registration | Delivery Month | Aircraft Name | Aircraft Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| DQ-FAB | November 2018 | Island of Kadavu | 7.1 years |
| DQ-FAD | December 2018 | Island of Gau | 7.0 years |
| DQ-FAE | May 2021 | Island of Koro | 6.3 years |
| DQ-FAF | July 2021 | Mamanuca Islands | 6.2 years |
| DQ-FAH | May 2021 | Island of Ovalau | 5.4 years |
This is how Fiji configures the Boeing 737 MAX8 it is set to operate to Gold Coast.
| Feature | Business Class | Economy Class |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Type & Layout | Collins Aerospace MiQ cradle seats, 2-2 | Collins Meridian slimline seats, 3-3 |
| Seat Count | 8 | 162 |
| Seat Pitch | 51 inches | 32 inches |
| Seat Width | 21 inches | 17 inches |
| Seat Recline | 8 inches | 5 inches |
| In-Flight Entertainment | 13-inch HD touchscreen | 10-inch HD touchscreen |
| Power Options | 110V AC and USB-A | USB-A |
| Additional Features | Cradle-style recline | 4-way adjustable headrest, tablet holder |
Data: Aerolopa
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All in all
Fiji Airways’ new Gold Coast–Nadi direct service inaugurates a key link in the Pacific, unlocking up to 53,000 annual seats and Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the Crisafulli Government is proud to support this route through Destination 2045’s Connecting Queensland Fund.
“The Fiji-Gold Coast route opens new pathways through the USA and Canada via Nadi, bringing tens of thousands of travellers right to our doorstep. That $51 million boost to our economy will go straight to our local cafes, hotels and experience operators who make our state the true home of the holiday, all while supporting more than 100 direct jobs.”