Fiji Airways will suspend flights from Canberra on 31 January, and commence services from WSI on 19 March. Photo: Canberra Airport.
Any uncertainty over whether Fiji Airways would continue to operate services between Canberra and Nadi from early next year has seemingly been put to rest, with the airline announcing it will operate from the new Western Sydney Airport from March.
The airline announced late last month it would be suspending services to Canberra from the new year amid ongoing global uncertainty and rising fuel prices, and that its last service would operate on 31 January 2027.
As Region reported on 26 August, Fiji Airways’ Chief Network, Revenue and Alliances Officer Russell Shaw said the suspension of services was part of ongoing work to ensure its aircraft were deployed where they could deliver the strongest performance and create the greatest positive impact for Fiji, its tourism industry and the wider network.
“This is a targeted network adjustment, not a reduction in our overall capacity,” he said.
“The capacity currently deployed on the Canberra route will be redeployed to other areas of our network where demand and performance are stronger.”
On 9 September the airline announced it would begin operations from Western Sydney Airport (WSI) from 19 March, with tickets going on sale to coincide with the announcement.
Fiji Airways joins Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Vietjet as foundation international airline tenants at the new airport which opened for freight services on 27 July, and is scheduled to commence domestic passenger operations on 25 October.
Western Sydney Airport commenced freight operations in July, with passenger services to start in late October. Photo: Glen Greathead.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey said Fiji Airways’ operations from the airport would strengthen Sydney’s ties with a Pacific neighbour.
“More than 70 per cent of our global city’s growing Fijian population call Western Sydney home, and we’re delighted to be delivering a new, seamless service for them to connect with family and friends,” he said.
“Last year alone, more than 400,000 passengers travelled between New South Wales and Fiji, demonstrating the immense popularity of the warm, welcoming leisure destination and the more than 300 islands visitors can explore.”
Fiji will initially operate three services per week from WSI to Nadi, with the incoming flight arriving at 7:10 pm, and the outgoing leg departing at 10:55 pm for a 5:55 am arrival in Nadi. As with the Canberra services, the airline will operate 170-seat Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft on its WSI services.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Paul Scurrah said the new WSI service was a natural next step for Fiji Airways.
“It is one of the fastest-growing regions in New South Wales, and a direct route there means easier, more affordable access for Australians looking to holiday in Fiji – which means more visitors, more jobs and more opportunities for our tourism industry.
It’s also home to one of the largest Fijian communities outside Fiji, so this route is about more than just tourism – it’s about making it easier for our people to stay connected to family and friends, and for Fiji to keep growing as a destination the world wants to visit.”
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said it was so good to have Fiji Airways boarding soon at Western Sydney International.
“Fiji is Australia’s 10th most popular international destination, so it’s exciting that there will be another travel option for Aussies, from Western Sydney’s new gateway to the world,” she said.
