Fiji Airways has announced the launch of its first non-stop service connecting Nadi, Fiji, to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, a prominent travel hub in the United States. During a press conference in Nadi, CEO Andre Viljoen shared that this new route is part of the airline’s 7th Game Changer Strategy, aimed at enhancing their operations in North America.
The inaugural flight is set for December 10, 2024, departing Nadi Airport at 9:15 PM and arriving in Dallas at 4:30 PM on the same day. The return flight from Dallas will leave at 11:10 PM that same night and reach Nadi at 5:20 AM on December 12. This new 13-hour service will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, utilizing the airline’s modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Viljoen expressed enthusiasm about the new direct service, stating it marks a significant milestone for Fiji Airways and is anticipated to bring over 1,000 passengers weekly to Fiji, benefiting the local tourism sector. He highlighted that Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a major hub, handling 1,100 daily flights—often exceeding 2,000 during peak periods—connecting passengers to more than 250 domestic and international destinations and serving over 80 million travelers annually.
He noted that American Airlines operates the majority of these flights. The new route will improve connectivity between Fiji and the United States, facilitating easier access to global cities such as New York, Miami, London, Paris, and more.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Professor Biman Prasad, acknowledged the new direct route’s potential to enhance tourism and trade opportunities between Fiji and the U.S. He emphasized Dallas’s importance as a burgeoning source market for tourism, given its status as one of the busiest airports globally and the rapid growth of Texas’s counties.
Dallas will represent Fiji Airways’ 24th international direct destination, and the fifth in North America, joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Vancouver. However, the flights are dependent on receiving approvals from the U.S. Government.