[All welcome protocols observed]
Mr. Paul Scurrah, The Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways,
Mr. Nalin Patel, Chairman of Fiji Airways
Ms. Amelia Evans, CEO of Queensland Airports Limited
Dr. Paresh Pant, CEO of Tourism Fiji
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen;
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
1. Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather this evening, Ki Na Vanua o Ua vua na Na Marama na Taukei Naua. I also pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We are grateful for their enduring stewardship of this land and for the opportunity to come together on this important occasion.
OPENING REMARKS
2. I am pleased to join you today as we witness a significant milestone for Fiji Airways, for our nation, and for the enduring Fiji–Australia relationship.
3. Today we mark the departure of Fiji Airways Flight FJ981—the inaugural direct service between Nadi and the Gold Coast.
4. This is far more than the launch of a new air route. It is the opening of a new gateway of opportunity between Fiji and one of Australia’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions.
5. It is a gateway that strengthens our people-to-people ties, expands economic engagement, and reflects the deepening of the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, which continues to guide cooperation between Fiji and Australia across trade, investment, tourism, labour mobility and sustainable development.
6. This moment is also aligned with Fiji’s long-term development direction under Vision 2050, which seeks to build a more competitive, resilient and globally connected economy—anchored in strong international partnerships and expanded market access.
CONNECTING OPPORTUNITIES: FIJI AND THE GOLD COAST
7. The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most vibrant and rapidly expanding urban economies.
8. As the country’s sixth largest city, it is globally recognised for its tourism industry, sporting culture, lifestyle economy and growing innovation ecosystem.
9. With strong population growth, significant infrastructure development and preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the region is firmly positioned as one of Australia’s most important growth corridors.
10. For Fiji, this makes the Gold Coast a natural economic and tourism partner.
11. The region’s strong outbound leisure market aligns directly with Fiji’s tourism offering—families, adventure travellers, surfers, business visitors and short-break tourists.
12. This new direct service will make travel simpler, faster and more efficient by removing the need for many passengers to transit through other Australian cities.
13. That simplicity is not incidental—it is economically significant.
14. Because improved connectivity links to opportunities: it connects travellers to destinations, businesses to markets, and investors to new prospects.
TOURISM AS A PILLAR OF GROWTH AND LIVELIHOODS
15. Tourism remains the most important pillar of Fiji’s economy and a key driver of inclusive growth under Government policy priorities.
16. It directly and indirectly supports thousands of Fijian families across hotels, resorts, transport services, agriculture, retail, arts, culture and community enterprises.
17. The addition of this service will provide more than 53,000 new seats annually between Fiji and the Gold Coast market.
18. This builds on the nearly half a million Australian visitors who travelled to Fiji last year—Australia remaining our largest source market and one of our most important economic partners.
19. These seats represent more than capacity—they represent opportunity – opportunities for tourism operators, opportunities for small and medium enterprises, opportunities for investors, and opportunities for stronger people-to-people connections.
FIJI AS THE PACIFIC AVIATION HUB
20. This new route further strengthens Fiji’s strategic objective of becoming the leading aviation hub of the Pacific, consistent with our national development agenda.
21. Nadi International Airport is increasingly serving as a critical gateway not only to Fiji, but to the wider Pacific region.
22. Through Fiji Airways’ expanding network, passengers from the Gold Coast can now connect seamlessly through Nadi to destinations across Fiji, the Pacific, North America and beyond.
23. This includes efficient onward connectivity to major international destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Honolulu.
24. In this way, Fiji is strengthening its position as a connective hub between the Pacific and the global economy, supporting our broader Vision 2050 aspiration of deeper global integration.
FIJI AIRWAYS: A NATIONAL ASSET AND GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
25. I wish to acknowledge and commend Fiji Airways for its continued leadership, innovation and strategic expansion.
26. Under the leadership of Mr Paul Scurrah and his team, Fiji Airways continues to demonstrate strong confidence in Fiji’s economic future and aviation sector.
27. Our national airline is more than a carrier—it is a flagbearer of Fiji’s identity, values and global presence.
28. Every Fiji Airways aircraft operating internationally promotes Fiji as a destination for tourism, investment and opportunity.
29. Its continued growth reflects confidence in Fiji’s stability, connectivity and long-term economic trajectory.
PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
30. I also acknowledge Queensland Airports Limited, Gold Coast Airport, Tourism Fiji, the Queensland Government, and all stakeholders who have worked collaboratively to make this service a reality.
31. This achievement reflects the strength of partnership between governments, aviation stakeholders and the private sector working together toward shared economic outcomes.
32. It demonstrates what can be achieved when we align around a common vision of connecting opportunities and expanding prosperity.
CONCLUSION: A NEW CHAPTER OF ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT
33. As this inaugural flight prepares for departure, we are not only launching a new service—we are opening a new chapter in the Fiji–Australia relationship.
34. I am confident that this route will increase visitor arrivals, strengthen business and investment links, expand trade opportunities and deepen the bonds between our peoples.
35. More importantly, it supports Fiji’s broader national priorities of economic transformation, export expansion and private sector-led growth under Vision 2050.
36. To all passengers on this inaugural flight, thank you for being part of this historic moment.
37. I wish you/us a safe journey to the Gold Coast, and I look forward to seeing this service grow from strength to strength in the years ahead.
