Oneworld connecting partner Fiji Airways will launch a twice-weekly route between its Nadi base and Noumea in New Caledonia.
The airline will deploy one of its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft on the route. These seat 170 passengers in a dual-class configuration, comprising eight 2-2 configured business class recliners and 162 economy class seats.
Fiji Airways has an existing air service agreement which allows the airline to provide services in French territories in the South Pacific.
“Based on this agreement, we were able to negotiate with our counterparts in New Caledonia and select a date for the commencement of services between Nadi and Noumea. We at Fiji Airways are very excited about the prospects of this new route”, said Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer, Andre Viljoen.
The first flight to La Tontouta International airport in Noumea will be on 30 November, and starting 7 December, the national carrier will fly twice weekly, every Monday and Thursday.
From its Nadi hub, Fiji Airways offers onward connections to North America, Asia, as well as other Pacific Island countries.
“Furthermore, thanks to our codeshare partners, we can connect New Caledonians to more than 100 destinations around the world. At Fiji Airways, we have consistently strived to expand our regional services because we see ourselves connecting not just Fiji – but the Pacific to the rest of the world”, added Viljoen.
Following the Noumea launch, Fiji Airways will be flying directly to 26 destinations around the world.
Noumea is the third new market added to the Fiji Airways network since international borders opened in December 2021.
The airline brings in 70 per cent of all visitor arrivals into Fiji and is the largest foreign exchange earner for the economy.
From the Asia-Pacific region, Fiji Airways flies to Nadi from Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.