By aviation writer Scott Mayman

Canberra will lose its direct air link to Fiji next year, with Fiji Airways confirming it will axe its service to the national capital.

The airline’s final direct flight between Canberra and Fiji will operate on February 5.

Canberra Airport head of aviation Michael Thomson said Fiji Airways had provided an important international connection for more than three years.

The service also offered Canberrans onward connections to the US.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr described the decision as disappointing, but said he understood the difficult global environment in which airlines were operating.

Meanwhile, escalating jet fuel costs linked to the Iranian conflict have hit Qantas, with the airline reporting a $420 million fall in profit for the year to the end of June.

Despite the decline, Qantas still recorded a pre-tax profit of $2.06 billion.

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