FIJI FLIGHTS

LOW-COST carrier AirAsia X wants to start flying direct from the Gold Coast to New Zealand this year, further cementing the Coast’s position as an international hub.

The Kuala Lumpur carrier’s chief executive Azran Osman-Rani — in Australia for the official opening of the Gold Coast Airport yesterday — said one of the company’s 2010 objectives was to start flights to Christchurch.

From KL, AirAsia X’s parent company AirAsia flies to about 60 destinations.

AirAsia X flies to China, London and the Middle East.

Already there are 18 flights to Auckland from the Gold Coast weekly and three to Christchurch from airlines including Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand.

Mr Osman-Rani said the upgraded airport now provided more scope for the international carrier, which flies seven days a week to KL, to increase its presence here.

“We have a lot more growth plans in this area,” said Mr Osman-Rani.

“The Gold Coast works as an effective gateway and international hub,” he said.

“We want to look at getting people flying here and then on to New Zealand.

“I think there can be more opportunities within that market.”

He said the Gold Coast-New Zealand paths continued to offer strong passenger numbers — up 51 per cent in December — and when the company officially announced flights, airfares would be ‘AirAsia style prices’.

“People from KL can choose to get off here or wait in the transit lounge to go to New Zealand. Gold Coasters can use us to fly over there and vice versa,” he said.

He added that he wanted to work with the airport on improving check-in experiences and decrease the ‘pain points’ for passengers.

“One of the things we are looking at is how we can get the international transit to work here and decrease the pain points when arriving and departing from an airport,” he said.

“As an airline we are doing what we can to help make it a smoother process, like online and phone check-ins. We also are working on upgrading our booking site so people can book direct from London to Christchurch or Gold Coast to Phuket.

“At the moment they have to make two bookings.”

Fiji

Fiji has it all! If you seek adventure you can snorkel over shallow reefs close to shore, dive and experience amazing underwater adventures, ride in a jet boat, trek in the tropical rainforests, go shopping in Suva, swim in the crystal clear waters of a rushing river or even visit a sacred cave. Or if it’s romance and time out you seek, Fiji is the land of gentle relaxation and absolutely no stress. From the mainland island of Viti Levu to the islands you won’t be able to escape the friendliness of the people or the sheer natural beauty of swaying palms and warm, clear water.

Blue Holidays Fiji Sale is on now, so its the perfect time to make Fiji your next holiday. Plus you can holiday your way by choosing your own flights, accommodation, tours and transfers all from one place online.

Holiday the way you want now!

Enjoy the V Australia treatment non-stop to Fiji from Sydney, on-board Australia’s newest international airline. Fly International Economy and delight in details like V Australia’s mood lighting, spacious 3-3-3 configuration, generous leg room and recline, amenities pack, award winning on-demand in-flight entertainment, all inclusive in-flight meal service and self service drink stations throughout the cabin.

Packages below to Fiji from Sydney include International Economy return airfares flying V Australia. All packages from ports other than Sydney are flying Pacific Blue, an International airline of Virgin Blue.
packages

Sydney to Fiji service flying V Australia subject to regulatory approval and commences 18 December 2009.

Air Pacific is offering an exciting range of Hot Summer return fares from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Nadi for travellers wanting to travel during February and March.

Prices from Brisbane start at $500, Sydney $410 and Melbourne $538 inclusive of taxes.

These special fares can only be used between February 1 and March 31 if they are booked by March 5.

Other attractively discounted fares are also available for travel between January 24 and September 30.