A Fiji Airways Boeing 737 which is being used on the Cairns-Nadi service. Photo: Jeffery.S/Pexels
A new Cairns-Nadi air service is expected to help add 52,000 extra visitors and help inject $160 million into the Far North Queensland economy.
The Fiji Airways service will link Cairns via Nadi to its US ports of call: Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas/Fort Worth in Texas.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen says North America remains the region’s second largest visitor market.
“A one-hop service from North America to Cairns would create the potential for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to be the first port of arrival for more US travellers,” he says.
Olsen believes the new gateway services will bring in 52,000 American visitors annually and inject more than $160 million into the regional economy.
Late last year, Olsen said that they are planning 10 more marketing campaigns in the US and Canadian markets, including one with Fiji Airways to run until June 30, to attract more visitors.
Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says the new service will give inbound passengers a chance to break up the long-haul flight from the US West Coast to Fiji.
“It’s also great news for Far North Queensland exporters targeting the markets of North America with a new connection available for freight,” he says.
“This new flight link gives American tourists a direct line into all the fabulous attractions of Tropical North Queensland.”
‘GAME CHANGER’
Last year, when the service was first announced, Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker described it as “a game changer” for the region.
“… maximising the growing network of Fiji Airways means fast, one-stop connectivity to North America via its hub in Nadi,” he said.
“Destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco are now just 16 hours away, slashing nearly three hours of travel time via an Australian domestic port.
“… for international visitors heading to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, travel will become so much easier.
“With Fiji Airways Oneworld membership and close alignment to American Airlines, many markets in North America are now within easy reach.”
ABOUT THE SERVICE
The Cairns-Nade service began on April 10 with three flights.
Passengers can link with Fiji Airway’s flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas/Fort Worth (Texas).
A Fiji Airways Boeing 737 will operate on the Cairns-Nadi leg and an Airbus 350 on its US-Nadi leg.
Words by Christian Reitano
