Air New Zealand has launched a new weekly direct flight from Wellington to Nadi in Fiji.
The airline's general manager for New Zealand and Pacific Islands Sales, Roger Poulton, says the Airbus A320 plane is capable of carrying 146 passengers, and there's been strong forward bookings.
Mr Poulton also says the launch coincides with new tourism ventures in Fiji.
"There's a number of new hotels and resorts that will be opening up in the next year to 18 months, and then a number after that over the next three years, so there's going to be a lot of opportunity up in Fiji and some very good rates, I'm sure available, that will encourage people to move up throughout the year."
Mr Poulton says there's been a 50 percent plus increase in passenger numbers from the lower north island since the launch of low Pacific fares.