AIRPORTS Fiji Limited recorded a whopping $12.5million profit last year.
Chairman Adrian Sofield said the fully-owned government commercial company recorded an increase of $4.6 million last year against its 2010 accounts.
He presented a $1 million cheque to the government yesterday in Suva following a board meeting and said the balance from the profit would be directed to capital projects identified for AFL.
"The positive financial outcome was a result of continuous careful planning, financial discipline and better utilisation of existing facilities," Mr Sofield said.
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government had approved a modernisation decree for Nadi International Airport which would allow for the expansion of retail space and offer facilities befitting modern airports.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said they would change the revenue mix for Nadi airport.
Meanwhile, Mr Sofield said in his chairman's report, AFL would develop the Nadi terminal building to improve passenger facilitation and redevelop commercial offerings to passengers.
He said a record 1.6 million people passed through Nadi airport last year.
"As the commercial activities are important sources of income at AFL, we continue the review towards improving customer services and further increase income streams for AFL and its stakeholders.
"With the addition of China, India and Singapore to our established markets in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, we are confident of the continuing growth of tourism in the country that should be reflected in our income stream," Mr Sofield said.
He said AFL would continue to expand its aviation academy with a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Fiji and the Solomon Islands expected to impact on future growth.
"The Fiji government has promised to help develop the Solomons' aviation industry, primarily through educating airport staff in air traffic management," Mr Sofield said.