FIJI Airways: Island nation opens borders from 1 December 2021

Fiji – which has tourism as about 60% of its economy has been shut to outside visitors since March 2020, when COVID-19 infections ramped up, after an initially very low rate of infection amongst the pacific islands.

Now that the nations vaccination rates expected to be close to 100% from November, the island is re-opening for business, and their national airlines is recommending scheduled passenger services to Australia from 1 December.

You have to be Vaccinated

To take up this opportunity to go to Fiji – you will need to be full vaccinated, and the Australian Government will need to allow you to travel. That shouldn’t be such an issue since Australian Borders are set to re-open from 14 November, or possibly before. You will need to be able to provide evidence of vaccination, and you may still face quarantine at home for 7 days on your return.

Flights

Fiji will be returning to its full schedule out of Sydney of two daily return flights, or 14 per week. Melbourne and Brisbane will see single, daily return flights. Services will be run by Boeing 737 MAX’s or A350-900

“Fiji is a pioneer of covid-safe international travel; our entire working population is on track to be fully vaccinated by November and Fiji Airways is the only airline in the Australia-Pacific region to achieve a Skytrax 5-Star COVID Safety rating as well as the highest Hospital Grade ‘Diamond’ certification by APEX Health and Safety powered by Simpliflying.”

Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO Andre Viljoen

Packages

Fiji Airways has also put together some packages that include flights and accommodation that might be worth looking at. However, some of the best resorts are situated on islands other than your airport of arrival. Most of the packages are associated with major hotel groups. Here are some examples:

• Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa – 4 Nights from AU$1099 (Flights, Accommodation, All Meals, Transfers & More)
• InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa – 4 Nights from AU$1,149 (Flights, Accommodation, All Meals, Transfers & More)
• The Naviti – 4 Nights All Inclusive from AU$1199 (Flights, Accommodation, All Meals, All Beverages, Transfers & More)
• Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji – 4 Nights from AU$999 (Flights, Accommodation, All Meals, Transfers & More)
• Radisson Blu Resort – 4 Nights from AU$1,299 (Flights, Accommodation, All Meals, Transfers & More)

I can recommend the InterContinental – but only if you stay in their CLUB area which is separate from the rest of the resort with its own pool and club area, otherwise it feels a bit Butlins. If you go for this option, you can get a villa with its own pool, and access to one of the only white sand beaches in Fiji.

It’s probably worth considering one of the packages, as it looks like they offer substantial savings.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

If you haven’t been to Fiji previously, then I highly recommend it. You may not get the polished service of some Asian destinations, but you will get welcomed as if you are family, with a ‘Bulla’ and a ‘Welcome home’. Fiji Airways service is also pretty nice, especially in business class.

I might have to convince my husband to take up one of these packages myself!

Be assured that if Australian departure rules and border measures change, Fiji Airways will adjust its timetable. Check the T&C’s for refunds and cancellation conditions too.

‘Bulla!’