Fiji Airways Celebrates 30 Years Of Flights To Christchurch

For thirty years, Fiji Airways has been connecting the South Island of New Zealand to the South Pacific paradise and golden sand beaches of Fiji. In the last three decades, the Nadi-based carrier has carried approximately half a million travelers between the cities. Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways) first connected Nadi with Christchurch in April 1993 and has continuously served the South Island’s largest city, apart from a two-year hiatus over the COVID-19 pandemic (which relaunched on April 14th, 2022).

FJ usually has served the CHC to NAN route with a Boeing 737 MAX 8. However, this winter, it has deployed the Airbus A330 to the South Island on select flights, much to the excitement of local plane spotters. This marks the third scheduled widebody to the city, including Singapore Airlines A350 and Emirates A380, which visit daily. Cathay Pacific, China Southern, and United Airlines will join the select group before the end of the year.

Not just holiday-makers

While Fiji has always been famous for those looking for a relaxing beach break, Fiji Airways has now positioned itself as a unique one-stop airline for those looking to reach as far as the US or Asia. From Christchurch and most of its South Pacific network, a one-stop itinerary with FJ can connect you to its US destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Vancouver, or head west to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Tokyo.

Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock

Since the airline was reborn as Fiji Airways, replacing its previous name of Air Pacific, the carrier has gone through a head-to-toe rejuvenation. From an eye-catching new livery to stylish uniforms and a unique Fijian onboard experience.

Christchurch is served up to four times a week by Fiji Airways, alongside its two other New Zealand gateways, Wellington (served by the 737 MAX multiple times a week) and Auckland, where the country’s busiest airport can see up to two services a day with a mix of the 737 MAX, A330 or stylish new A350.

Come December 21st, Fiji Airways plans to operate a one-off service with its new Airbus A350-900 to Christchurch. For those familiar with aircraft at CHC airport, Singapore Airlines already serves the city daily with its A350-900. However, the SQ service will depart two hours before the FJ aircraft is set to touch down.

Looking at this week’s data from FlightRadar24.com, FJ serves Christchurch up to four times a week, departing Nadi at FJ451 at 08:10, arriving in CHC at 13:15, before returning to Nadi at FJ450 at 14:15 with an arrival time in Nadi of 17:15.

Further expansion in the South Pacific

Even after 30 years of serving Christchurch, the airline looks at new destinations to grow its expanding network. The carrier launched it’s Canberra service in July this year, connecting Australia’s capital to Fiji for the first time. This is alongside its new Nadi to Noumea service, which is set to take flight from November 30th.

Sources: Flightradar24.com