Fiji Airways has launched its inaugural direct service between Gold Coast Airport (OOL) and Nadi International Airport (NAN), opening access to Fiji’s 333 islands and world-renowned hospitality for the Gold Coast community.
The inaugural flight from Nadi, Fiji touched down at Gold Coast Airport this morning at 11:30am AEST. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is among the distinguished guests onboard the historic first service, alongside Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans and Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer Paul Scurrah.
The inaugural flight will be welcomed with ceremonial fanfare in the arrivals hall, where the Prime Minister and guests will be welcomed with a customary ceremony honouring the bonds of Vanua, culture and community; a significant gesture reserved for first visits and important national occasions.
The first-ever Fiji Airways flight from Gold Coast to Nadi is scheduled to depart today at 12:30pm AEST. Travellers will experience a 3-hour 25-minute journey where the holiday starts on board with award-winning service and warm Fijian hospitality, before touching down in Nadi at 5:55pm local time.
Known for its surf breaks, relaxed island lifestyle and family-friendly resorts, Fiji offers Gold Coast travellers an easy tropical getaway just a short flight from home.
Operating three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays aboard the modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 – featuring eight business class seats and 162 economy class seats – the new service will add over 53,000 seats annually to the market.
The Gold Coast becomes Fiji Airways’ seventh Australian destination, expanding the airline’s Australian network alongside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and Canberra. The route also unlocks convenient one-stop connections for Gold Coast travellers through Nadi to Fiji Airways’ growing international network, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Honolulu and key Pacific Island and Asian destinations.
“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,” Scurrah 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.”
“This marks a new chapter for the Gold Coast, so it was incredibly special to be onboard and experience firsthand the connection we’ve worked so hard to deliver,” Evans 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.
“This is a valuable addition to our growing network, particularly as we look toward the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when Gold Coast Airport will play an important role as an international gateway.”
“Queensland is the home of the holiday, and direct flights from Nadi to the Gold Coast will make it easier for more visitors to experience this world-class destination,” Minister for environment and tourism Andrew Powell said.
“This route also adds another valuable international connection, with easy links through Fiji to the United States and Canada, helping bring even more visitors to Queensland. More connections mean more people and more opportunity for our tourism industry.
“Supported by our Connecting Queensland Fund, this route is more than a flight path – it’s a pathway to growth, unlocking new opportunities for international travellers and delivering a boost to local businesses.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn welcomed the new flights.
“Today’s inaugural Fiji Airways flight into the Gold Coast is another exciting milestone, reinforcing our city as a truly global destination,” Warn said. “This new route offers us the opportunity to capture a larger share of the growing Fijian market, unlocking the many incredible experiences our beautiful region has to offer.
“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.”
Flight schedule
(Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays)
- Flight FJ 981 – Departs NAN at 9:15am – Arrives OOL at 11:30am – 4hrs 15min duration
- Flight FJ 980 – Departs OOL at 12:39pm – Arrives NAN at 5:55pm – 3hrs 23min duration
To celebrate the launch of the service, Fiji Airways is offering heavily discounted fares from 10 – 14 June 2026.
Gold Coast to Nadi, Fiji
- Lite Economy return fares from $599
- Value Economy return fares from $659
Nadi, Fiji to Gold Coast
- Lite Economy return fares from $5899
- Value Economy return fares from $999
Sale Period: 10-14 June 2026 | Travel Period: 11 June 2026-15 May 2027
