Fiji Airways, the national carrier of Fiji, has unveiled an exciting new route connecting its capital Nadi with Cairns.

The service, launching on April 10, 2025, will operate three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—offering Australian travelers a convenient link to the tropical paradise as well onward connections.

Seamless Connections to North America

The new route is strategically aligned with Fiji Airways’ Nadi-Dallas/Fort Worth schedule, which operates on the same days. This allows passengers from Cairns a seamless connection to Dallas and onward destinations across North America.

The airline highlights the advantage of shorter transfer times at Nadi Airport, offering travelers a quicker and less congested alternative for international journeys.

“Our new service to Cairns is a further step in our network expansion, providing more travel options and enhanced connectivity for our customers,” said André Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways. “Northern Australia holds a special allure for many of our travelers, and we’re proud to bring them closer to it. This route also offers convenient onward connections from Cairns to Dallas via Nadi, making it easier than ever for travelers to access North America.”

A Premium Travel Experience

The route will be serviced by Fiji Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, offering passengers a premium onboard experience.

There are 8 recliner business class seats and 162 economy seats.

Travelers can enjoy complimentary meals, a selection of beverages, hundreds of hours of entertainment, and onboard Wi-Fi, all complemented by the airline’s award-winning Fijian hospitality.

Special Introductory Fares

To celebrate the launch, Fiji Airways is offering special introductory return fares until November 26, 2024, through the airline’s website and participating travel agents.

Reward seats can also be booked via Qantas Frequent Flyer, with both economy and business class seats available.

Perth Airport is set to welcome its first on-site hotel in partnership with Accor, Australia’s largest hotel operator.

The new Pullman Perth Airport hotel, which is planned to open in 2027, will provide a high-end experience for travelers right at the heart of the airport grounds.

Featuring 240 rooms and suites across eight floors, the hotel will include amenities such as a rooftop restaurant and bar, lobby lounge café, gym, sauna, meeting rooms, and co-working spaces.

This development comes as part of Perth Airport’s $5 billion investment plan, which will also deliver a new terminal for Qantas next to the current terminals for Virgin Australia, Jetstar and international flights.

According to Dan Sweet, Chief Property Officer at Perth Airport, the collaboration with Accor represents a significant addition to the airport’s expansion.

“The new Pullman Perth Airport hotel will be a world-class facility located at the front door to our major terminals, making it even more convenient for international and interstate visitors,” said Sweet.

The hotel design, led by DKO Architecture, will incorporate elements that echo the natural beauty of Western Australia.

Accor’s Pullman brand, which already operates multiple airport hotels across the Pacific, brings a wealth of experience to the project.

With Pullman Perth Airport, Accor expands its presence to 22 airport hotels in the Pacific region, highlighting the growing trend of airport precincts evolving into vibrant commercial hubs.

Qantas is set to significantly expand its international operations, with the addition of 220,000 seats, new aircraft, and a brand-new route.

Over the next 12 months, the airline will increase capacity to meet growing demand in the Asia Pacific and US markets, introducing new services and improving fleet efficiency.

From February 2025, Qantas will roll out these changes across its international network, starting with the launch of a new route between Brisbane and Palau.

The airline will also return two Airbus A380s to service and introduce more next-generation A220 aircraft, boosting seat availability and enhancing passenger comfort.

Increased Capacity to the United States

Qantas will increase its capacity to the US by 13%, offering 30% more premium seats on long-haul flights with the return of additional A380 aircraft by August 2025.

The Brisbane to Los Angeles route will benefit from the reintroduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, offering passengers the option of Premium Economy and increased seat availability.

This move responds to the growing demand for flights between Australia and the US, providing more options for travelers seeking premium travel experiences.

New Brisbane to Palau Route

For the first time, Qantas will add Palau to its international map, launching a weekly service from Brisbane to the Pacific island nation.

The ‘Palau Paradise Express,’ operated by a 737 aircraft, will begin flights in the coming months. This route is part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Australian Federal Government to support trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau.

Known for its pristine waters and unique marine life, Palau is expected to become a popular destination for divers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Darwin to Singapore Route Upgraded

QantasLink’s new A220 aircraft will make its international debut in March 2025, serving the Darwin to Singapore route.

Initially planned to operate with the Embraer E190, the larger 137-seat A220 will now take over, offering over 70,000 seats annually on five weekly flights.

This shift is part of Qantas’ broader fleet renewal strategy, which is phasing out older Boeing 717s in favor of more efficient aircraft.

Changes to Seoul Flights

Qantas will cease operations between Sydney and Seoul from June 2025. However, its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, will increase its flights on this route from four per week to daily, resulting in a net increase in seat availability.

This adjustment is aimed at catering to the strong leisure demand between the two cities, allowing Qantas to redeploy aircraft to higher-demand routes.

Comments from Qantas Group International CEO

Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas Group International, expressed excitement about the upcoming changes, stating: “We’re thrilled to offer our customers more than 220,000 additional seats, a new international destination, and the debut of our A220 aircraft on the Singapore-Darwin route. These changes reflect our commitment to meeting growing customer demand while ensuring we have the right aircraft on the right routes.”

The expansion of Qantas’ international network underscores its dual-brand strategy, which leverages the combined fleets of Qantas and Jetstar to offer flexibility and increased service options for passengers.

In a major development for Australian aviation, Qatar Airways Group has announced its intention to acquire a 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia, subject to regulatory approval.

This strategic investment is set to strengthen the partnership between the two airlines, bringing a host of benefits to travellers, including more competitive fares, expanded international routes, and improved frequent flyer perks.

More Choice and Greater Value for Australian Travellers

A key benefit of this partnership will be increased competition in the Australian aviation market. Virgin Australia will now be positioned to enhance its international offerings, giving Australian consumers more choice and better value.

The Qatar Airways investment will support Virgin Australia in navigating the inherent volatility of the aviation sector, ensuring the airline can offer more affordable fares and improved services.

Virgin Australia’s CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, stressed the significance of this investment for consumers. “This partnership brings the missing piece to Virgin Australia’s longer-term strategy and is a huge vote of confidence in Australian aviation,” she said. “It will further strengthen Virgin Australia’s ability to compete over the long term, which will inevitably translate into more choice and even better value airfares for consumers as well as additional Australian aviation jobs.”

New Long-Haul Routes to Begin in 2025

One of the most anticipated benefits for travellers is the introduction of new long-haul flights. Beginning in mid-2025, Virgin Australia plans to launch routes from major Australian cities—Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth—to Doha, Qatar Airways’ home base. These new routes will open up access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network, which includes over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Virgin Australia’s planned wet lease arrangement (a type of leasing arrangement in aviation where one airline (Qatar) provides another airline (Virgin) with an aircraft, along with a complete crew and maintenance) will allow the airline to assess the viability of these long-haul services, ensuring that the new offerings meet consumer demand while delivering sustainable growth.

Enhanced Frequent Flyer Benefits and Expanded Code-Sharing

Frequent travellers stand to benefit from the expanded partnership between Virgin Australia’s Velocity program and Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club.

The collaboration will offer passengers more opportunities to earn and redeem points, as well as access to a greater range of destinations and improved schedule options.

The increased synergy between the two airlines’ loyalty programs will hopefully make it easier for Australian travellers to maximize the value of their frequent flyer points on international journeys.

The deeper code-sharing agreement between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will also improve connectivity, offering Australian passengers more frequent flights and greater flexibility when planning their trips.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, corporate clients, and leisure travellers alike will benefit from these expanded options, as they gain access to a wider range of competitive fare options and flight schedules tailored to their needs.

Looking Ahead

As Virgin Australia prepares for its long-anticipated return to public ownership, the equity investment from Qatar Airways is expected to be a cornerstone of the airline’s strategic growth.

The move, which is still subject to regulatory approval, marks a significant milestone for Virgin Australia as it rebuilds following its post-pandemic recovery.