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In an exciting development for travel enthusiasts, Jetstar, the well-known budget airline, has officially revealed its plan to initiate direct flights from Melbourne to Nadi in Fiji starting December 16, 2023. This strategic move comes in anticipation of the bustling Christmas holiday season, paving the way for sun-seekers to enjoy a direct journey to the tropical paradise of Fiji.

Operated on the Airbus A321neo LR, a cutting-edge aircraft renowned for its improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels, this service is set to run thrice a week. The new route is projected to ferry up to 72,000 customers annually, making the South Pacific nation more accessible than ever for Australian travellers.

Jetstar’s latest venture marks a first in the history of low-cost carriers – the first non-stop flight service from Melbourne to Fiji.

Alan McIntyre, Jetstar’s Chief Customer Officer, expressed his delight over the launch of this non-stop service. He stated that after successfully resuming the Sydney to Fiji route, they witnessed substantial demand from Melbourne customers, who will now benefit from the direct flights.

“Fiji has always been a popular choice among Australians, and as interest continues to surge, we’re aiming to provide more than 70,000 budget-friendly seats each year from Melbourne to Fiji,” McIntyre said. He further extended gratitude towards Melbourne Airport for supporting the new service.

This sentiment was echoed by Jim Parashos, Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation, who praised Jetstar’s decision to include flights to Fiji in their roster. Parashos states, “Travel demand to tropical paradises like Fiji is high since the international borders reopened. Many Victorians hunt for warm climates and rich cultural experiences within short travel durations. Now, with Jetstar’s competitive fares, the South Pacific Islands seem more enticing than ever.”

Parashos stated, “As Australia’s largest city by population, Melbourne has a significant outbound demand. It’s encouraging to see Jetstar recognizing this potential by adding more capacity.”

This significant development follows closely on the heels of Jetstar’s recent addition of another South Pacific gem, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, to its Sydney service. The carrier’s fuel-efficient NEO will also serve the Sydney to Fiji route from October 29, 2023, offering 46 extra seats per flight compared to the Airbus A320.

In alignment with the new Melbourne to Fiji service, the Sydney-Fiji route will see a schedule change to three return flights a week starting from December 16, 2023.

The flight schedules are as follows:

Melbourne to Nadi (Fiji): JQ121, operating on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, departs at 06:15 and arrives at 12:15.
Nadi (Fiji) to Melbourne: JQ122, operating on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, departs at 13:15 and arrives at 17:50.
Sydney to Nadi (Fiji): JQ119, operating on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, departs at 09:45 and arrives at 14:55.
Nadi (Fiji) to Sydney: JQ120, operating on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, departs at 16:00 and arrives at 19:50.

Please note these flights are subject to government approval.