New service to boost our tourism industry, act as a gateway to other destinations.

Our national airline, Fiji Airways, has announced plans to start direct services from Nadi to Adelaide commencing on June 30, 2017.

The new service would be twice a week on Monday and Friday.

As well as giving South Australians direct access to Fiji, the new route will also act as a gateway to the United States (Los Angeles and San Francisco) via Nadi.

This marks the fourth Australian leg for the airline after Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Diversifying the Australian market has been a goal of Fiji Airways for some time as so many Australians fly to Fiji every year.

Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive Andre Viljoen said: “We’re delighted to launch our fourth Australian route, which will allow us to bring our unique Fijian hospitality to South Australia and will provide an alternative route to the United States via Nadi.”

The new service will be good news for the sizeable Fijian community living in South Australia.

Adelaide Airport managing director Mark Young said: “South Australia’s strong Fijian community will benefit from a direct connection to Nadi to bring them closer to family and friends.”

Furthering this, South Australians are connected like never before to the South Pacific region with Fiji Airways directly to Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu via Nadi.

Attorney-General and Minister for Public Enterprises and Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the direct flights to Adelaide had come at an exciting time with the announcement of the new B737 Max 8 aircraft.

“This has further enhanced Fiji’s footprint in new ways beyond the eastern seaboard of Australia,” he said.

“This concludes a great 2016 overall for Fiji Airways with the launch of direct routes to Singapore and San Francisco earlier in the year.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the new route couldn’t have come at a better time with Adelaide flights starting just before the second term school holidays in South Australia.

South Australia’s Tourism Minister Leon Bignell welcomed the announcement saying Adelaide has welcomed many airlines from around the world and Fiji Airways will provide even more options for visitors travelling to South Australia.

SOURCE: FIJI AIRWAYS

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