Jetstar has announced that it will start direct flights between Melbourne and Fiji (Nadi) on 16 December 2023*, in time for the busy Christmas holiday season.

The new service, flown by the airline’s cutting-edge, quieter, and more fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo LR, will be offered thrice weekly and will transport up to 72,000 passengers annually to the South Pacific nation.

It is the first time a low-cost carrier has operated nonstop flights from Melbourne to Fiji.

Jetstar’s Chief Customer Officer Alan McIntyre stated that Melburnians now have affordable airfares and nonstop service to Fiji.

“We’ve seen strong demand from Melbourne travellers since relaunching our Sydney to Fiji services, and they’ll be able to fly direct from December,” Mr McIntyre said.

“Fiji is a hugely popular destination for Australians, and with interest growing, we’re offering more than 70,000 great low-cost seats between Melbourne and Fiji each year.”

“We would like to thank Melbourne Airport for supporting the new route.”

Jim Parashos, Chief of Aviation at Melbourne Airport, said he is pleased that Jetstar will begin flights to Fiji.

“Travel demand to tropical destinations like Fiji is at an all-time high since international borders reopened,” Mr Parashos said.

“Many Victorians are looking for a warmer climate and cultural experiences with short travel times, and now there’s even more reason to visit the South Pacific Islands thanks to Jetstar’s low fares.”

“Melbourne is Australia’s most populous city, and we’re pleased to see Jetstar recognise our strong outbound demand by increasing capacity.”

The news came only days after Jetstar began utilising the NEO to fly between Sydney and another new South Pacific destination, Rarotonga, the biggest of the Cook Islands.

The NEO will also be used on the carrier’s existing Sydney-Fiji route beginning on 29 October 2023, adding 46 seats per flight trip compared to the Airbus A320.

The service between Sydney and Fiji will be reduced to three return flights per week beginning 16 December 2023 to accommodate flights from Melbourne to Fiji.

Flight schedule

Flight   Frequency                   From   To        Depart Arrive

JQ121  Mon, Thu, Sat             MEL     NAN     06:15   12:15

JQ122  Mon, Thu, Sat             NAN     MEL     13:15   17:50

JQ119  Tue, Fri, Sun                SYD      NAN     09:45   14:55

JQ120  Tue, Fri, Sun                NAN     SYD      16:00   19:50