Fiji Airways expands international network in 2027

By Andrew Curran.

Fiji Airways is expanding its international network in 2027, adding a new route and increasing frequencies on four others as it reshapes its schedule to capture rising demand while extracting more capacity from its existing fleet.

In addition to launching its previously announced thrice-weekly B737-8-operated round-trips between Nadi (NAN) and Western Sydney (WSI) in March, Fiji Airways will also increase its Nadi - Hong Kong (HKG) round-trips from three to five per week in February; increase its Nadi - Singapore (SIN) round-trips from two to three per week in March and increase its Nadi - Christchurch (CHC) round-trips from three to five per week, also in March.

There will also be seasonal increases in Fiji Airways’ Nadi – Tokyo Narita (NRT) round-trips from two to three per week. The airline says the changes will add approximately 125,000 seats annually to the market.

“Demand for travel into Fiji from our key markets is strong,” said Fiji Airways CEO Paul Scurrah. “Air connectivity drives Fiji’s economy. The more access we can provide, the more people can visit.”

Trickle down impact of more Fiji Airways flights

Tourism accounts for around 40% of Fiji’s gross domestic product and one-third of all jobs. The biggest source markets are Australia and New Zealand. However, North America is growing in importance, and increasing flights into hubs such as Hong Kong and Tokyo allows Fiji Airways to better tap into its oneworld partner networks.

Fiji Airways, which variously carries between 65 - 70% of all travellers flying to and from Fiji, became a fully-fledged oneworld alliance airline in the first half of 2025.

“This expansion is about more than flights,” said Scurrah. “It supports the hotels, restaurants, transport operators, attractions, and the communities whose livelihoods depend on tourism.”

Fiji welcomed a record 986,367 visitors in 2025, with the vast majority arriving by air.

The announcement follows Fiji Airways launching thrice-weekly B737-8-operated round-trips between Nadi and Coolangatta/Gold Coast (OOL) in mid-2026; resuming ATR72-600 round-trips between Nadi and Nouméa (NOU); increasing frequencies on the Nadi – Apia (APW) route; and deploying its flagship A350-900 on the Nadi – Vancouver (YVR) route.

Fiji Airways CEO is working the fleet harder

Scurrah says Fiji Airways is delivering the growth with its existing fleet. Since taking up the CEO’s role last November, Scurrah has said he wants to work the fleet harder before considering any new orders.

Fiji Airways operates 16 aircraft, including one A330-300, three A330-200s, four A350-900s, one B737-800 and five B737-8s. Its domestic and short-haul regional brand, Fiji Link, operates nine aircraft, including one ATR42-600, four ATR72-600s and four DHC-6-300 Twin Otters.

“By combining a new route with a more frequent service on an existing route, we’re putting our aircraft where and when demand is at its strongest,” said Scurrah. “Ultimately, this is about giving more people more ways to connect with Fiji and making the most of the fleet we already have.”

Dallas done, Canberra canned

Beyond the good news announcements, Scurrah, who was formerly the CEO of Virgin Australia and rail operator Pacific National, isn’t afraid to wield the axe when required, even if he makes less noise when doing so.

Fiji Airways abandoned its Nadi – Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) round-trips in early September. In July, Scurrah said the airline was better off exiting Dallas, saying the flights had over-extended the carrier “capacity-wise” and connecting passengers could do so at Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO).

More recently, the airline also decided to end its relatively short-lived Nadi – Canberra (CBR) round-trips. Those thrice-weekly B737-8-operated flights will end in February.

In addition to 11 domestic destinations, Fiji Airways operates to 27 airports across 15 countries.

Photo: AI-Generated.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com