By James Wilkinson

Tourism to Fiji received a massive boost last Friday (Dec 18), when Virgin Blue’s long-haul international airline V Australia inaugurated services between Sydney and Nadi.

V Australia crew launch the new
flights at Sydney Airport

V Australia’s flights, which feature Premium Economy seating on the route for the first time, operate daily and complement existing direct Pacific Blue flights to Nadi from Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

“The launch signals the start of more options for travellers from Australia, with more seats in the market, more competitive pricing and more product range, from our luxurious award-winning international business class to our spacious premium economy and comfortable and affordable economy cabin,” said V Australia executive general manager Scott Swift.

“V Australia’s full service business and premium economy products are tailor-made for the conference and incentive market which will undoubtedly prove a catalyst for an increase in the top end leisure travel market to this region.

“We’re sure guests who have not previously had the opportunity to experience V Australia will be very pleasantly surprised with the space, facilities and service available in all three cabins onboard our brand new Boeing 777 aircraft,” he said.

To celebrate the launch, V Australia is offering one-way fares for $199 (economy), $469 (premium economy) and $649 (business) for sale until January 5, 2010.

V Australia’s new services come four months before Qantas’ low-cost offshoot Jetstar launches direct flights from Sydney to Nadi and open up Fiji to the conference market like never before.

The new flights have helped lift Fiji’s conference industry, following several disappointing events of late, including the cancellation of a 200-person annual general meeting by the Australian Society of Travel Writers several weeks ago.