Fiji Airways today welcomes South Australians back on board, with the first direct flight in three years departing Adelaide at 12.35pm, set to touch down in Nadi at 8.15pm local time.

Today’s flight marks the beginning of Fiji Airways twice weekly flights from Adelaide to Nadi, offering Australians a fourth route for their tropical getaway.

The national airline also operates twice daily flights from Sydney and daily flights from Melbourne and Brisbane.

Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive Andre Viljoen said today is a special occasion and they are excited to say bula and welcome back to friends and family from South Australia.

“The short five hour and 10 minute direct flight from Adelaide makes Fiji a popular choice and much more attractive option for Australians.”

“The new Adelaide route allows us to provide further travel options for Australians to our beautiful home and beyond.”

Apart from Adelaide, Fiji Airways is also welcoming back our Pacific neighbours, Vanuatu with the first flight leaving Nadi at 11.25am and returning at 5.15pm.

“We know that there are many people from Vanuatu who have been eager to return home. Many of them have not seen their families for over two years and so these links to Pacific Island countries are very important.”

“Returning to Vanuatu also means that Fiji Airways is reconnecting them to the rest of the world,” Viljoen said.

Fiji Airways will fly twice weekly to Vanuatu.

By Reginald Chandar