Fiji Airways will begin flying direct to Tokyo Narita come July 2018. And this is good news for the growing tourism market that Fiji is gaining from the land of the rising sun.

Announcing the new route, Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO, Andre Viljoen said this was a perfect time to open this route as there was a lot of interest coming out of Japan.

“We are excited to share with Japan the untouched beauty of our 333 islands,” Mr Viljoen said.

“Fiji’s unparalleled hospitality and warmth offers Japanese tourists a unique, culturally immersive experience  much more than just another beach getaway.

“Our flights have been designed to ensure guests get the most of their time in Fiji.

“The flight from Narita arrives into Nadi in the morning, with convenient domestic connections on our subsidiary Fiji Link to major tourism spots like Savusavu and Taveuni.

“Additionally, guests can also easily do boat transfers after arrival to the many wonderful resorts in the beautiful Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups,”he said.

In a statement, Fiji Airways said they were beginning with three flights per week and began an introductory sale.

“Starting July 3, 2018, the new, nine-hour flights will operate from Nadi International Airport to Narita International Airport,” the statement said.

“Each week, flights will be scheduled for Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, offering over 80,000 seats per year between Fiji and Japan aboard Fiji Airways’ state-of-the-art planes, the Airbus A330-200/-300.

“To celebrate the new flights, the airline will offer special celebratory launch fares from Nadi to Tokyo, starting from F$999 (includes taxes & surcharges) from 06th – 12th December 2017 ” the statement said.

Mr Viljoen said the Japanese were also looking forward to these new flights.

“We want to capitalise on the high interest in outbound travel from Japan, with an estimated 13.4 million Japanese residents travelling overseas so far this year,” said Mr Viljoen.

“This opens a direct gateway between Fiji and the most populated metropolitan area in the world, and we expect the impact to go far beyond attracting more tourism to our shores,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said during the announcement at Nadi.

“As Government works to further solidify Fiji as the go-to regional development hub for international businesses, investors and development organisations, this connection with Tokyo–– a global financial centre and economic powerhouse that is home to dozens of Fortune Global 500 company headquarters––is an invaluable step in achieving our goal.”

The launch of direct Nadi-Tokyo flight services is the latest announcement by Fiji Airways expanding its network across Asia to leverage the growing demand for Fiji as a holiday destination.

BIG DAY FOR FIJI: ROSIE BOSS

Comment, from Managing Director, of the Rosie Travel Group, Tony Whitton, who is in Tokyo with key Fiji Airways executives to launch the new service to the travel industry in Japan.

“This is a big day for Fiji as our national airline announces direct services will resume to Tokyo after a nine year absence. Japan is one of Asia’s leading economies with an affluent and sophisticated travelling segment. In short it means, More jobs.

“And more vital foreign exchange earnings for our country. We currently have about 6000 Japanese visitors a year and with this new schedule of three flights a week,  Rosie is anticipating that this number will grow to over 40,000 a year in a short period of time. 

“This will create  over  1000 new jobs. Japan is a country that loves islands destinations and also has a natural affinity to rugby and our Fijian people.

“They will come in big numbers and their dispersal will be all over Fiji as they enjoy high end resorts, enjoy our marine activities but also enjoy cultural activities such as village visits.

“Rosie Holidays is fully behind this new service and will be recruiting for new positions in its Japan division in the coming months. It will also mean that Fiji now has 3 major hubs all in the heart of Asia: Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

“This will generate more traffic from these big economies but also open Fiji to connections from Europe, India, Middle East,  and East bloc countries.  It will also open Fiji export markets of fish, mineral water, and produce into these major cities.”