From mid-June this year (2008), Virgin Blue Airlines will increase its flights to Fiji by 20%, with 24 flights a week instead of 20. This is great news for Australians wishing to travel to Fiji for holidays or business conferences. Though most arrivals into Fiji are tourism based, the new budget flights are popular with business travellers and those visiting friends and relatives.

The Pacific Blue flights offer good budget options for travellers, helping to increase Fiji's popularity as a tropical vacation destination. Resorts and hotels in the Fiji Islands offer many attractive travel packages and specials.

The Mamanuca Islands in Fiji are renowned for their holiday resorts, white sand beaches, blue lagoons and high sunshine hours. They are within easy reach of Nadi on the mainland. High speed boats convey passengers out to the islands from Port Denarau marina.

Two of the islands, however, do have small airstrips, and these are found on Mana Island and Malolo Lailai island. Malolo Lailai is best known for two resorts of Musket Cove and Plantation Island Resort. There are currently eight flights a day to the island from Nadi International via Pacific Sun (a domestic airline owned by Air Pacific, Fiji's international carrier). The 10 minute scenic flight currently sells for just FJD 67.50 per person!

With the winter approaching in Australia, the time is right for a quick getaway to the sunshine. You can be at Plantation Island Resort quicker than you thought!

Travelers departing ex Australia to any overseas destination (including Fiji) may now only carry trial-size toiletries (100ml or less) on board the aircraft, which can be purchased at any chemist.

Toiletries must fit comfortably in one (no larger than 18 x18cm) clear plastic zip-top bag. The zip-top bag may need to be presented separately at airport security so make sure it is easily accessible when you approach the screening area.

Additionally, beverages or toiletries purchased inside the airport beyond the security checkpoints will not be allowed onboard the aircraft.

Some items greater than 100ml and/or not contained in a zip-top bag may be allowed on board. These items include baby formula, milk (to include breast milk), baby food, juice, medications and liquids/gels that are needed for medical conditions can be taken on board but proof of prescription may be required.

For visitors to Fiji, please note that zip-top bags are very difficult to find there, so you may like to pack a couple of spares for your reverse journey back to Australia after your Fiji holiday !

Air Pacific and Pacific Blue are the two main airlines that fly between Sydney and Fiji. They fly on a daily basis from Sydney to Nadi International Airport. AirPacific Fiji's national airline offers 747 flights departing mosting in the afternoon and arriving Nadi late afternoon. Pacific Blue also has scheduled flights from Sydney arriving in Nadi late afternoon after the 4 hour flight from Sydney.