The direct flights, beginning on June 30, will leave Adelaide for Nadi –  on the western side of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu –  at 10pm on Mondays and Fridays (arriving 5.35am local time the following day).

Return trips will be available on the same days, departing Nadi at 4.30pm.

Fiji Airways managing director and CEO Andre Viljoen said the launch of the flights –to cost from $A799 return – would also provide South Australians an alternative gateway to the United States cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The airline already offers direct flights to Nadi from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Both the State Government and Adelaide Airport managing director Mark Young welcomed the new service.

“Fiji has always been a hugely popular destination with South Australian travellers, and Fiji Airways’ new link will make it even more attractive,” Young said.

“South Australia’s strong Fijian community will also benefit from a direct link with Nadi bringing them closer to their family and friends.”

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell is hailing 2016 as the best year in South Australia’s tourism history, with data released today by Tourism Research Australia showing that the state attracted a record 6.2 million domestic overnight visitors in the 12 months to September, and they spent around $3.8 billion.

The figures showed SA’s total visitor economy grew by $800 million this year, to reach $6.2 billion, the Minister said, adding: “We are continuing to smash all records and are well on track to reach our $8 billion target by 2020.”

Adelaide attracted the highest number of domestic tourists with 2.4 million visits, followed by the Fleurieu Peninsula with 671,000.