Fiji Airways adds NZ service

Fiji Airways will add another Christchurch to Nadi service next winter.

The airline now operates a weekly Sunday departure and will introduce a Tuesday service during July next year.

It says it is "working towards additional flights later."

Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive Stefan Pichler, said the extra service would make it easier for South Island passengers to fly direct to Fiji, and on to the United States without an additional domestic New Zealand connection.

"The new service opens up our global network to South Islanders, because we are offering an additional weekly connection on to Los Angeles and Honolulu. The departure time has been chosen to not only appeal to Cantabrians, but the greater South Island market, with connections possible from over six South Island regional points," he said.

After suffering heavy losses three years ago, the airline has revamped its fleet after changing its name from Air Pacific. It has bought three new Airbus A330-200s to replace its fleet of Boeing B747-400s and 767s.

Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult said Fiji Airways was the only airline to operate a year-round direct service from Christchurch to Fiji.

It has has been flying from Christchurch to Fiji for more than 20 years.

The total market size of South Island residents travelling to Fiji or North America was almost 50,000 in the past 12 months and was growing, he said.