The $60 million project to extend and upgrade the Nausori International Airport runway reached practical completion in November 2021, says Fiji Airports acting CEO Isei Tudreu. He said the runway upgrade project was completed despite COVID-19’s devastating financial impact on their business.
“The upgraded and extended Nausori runway will allow narrow body short-haul jet aircraft – B737 and similar type aircraft – to operate on greatly improved load capacity and with improved operational accessibility,” he said.
Mr Tudreu said the project would allow opportunities for increased flights for both domestic and international and routes for Fijians living in the greater Suva area and Fiji Airports was awaiting airline schedules for jet operations into Nausori International Airport. He also said an upgrade of the Nausori airport terminal was part of future capital plans once a return to pre-COVID-19 business conditions were in sight. The project included the runway extension from 1868 metres to 2148m, 30m to 45m wide, and runway strip width increased to 280m.
Taxiways were widened and the parking apron rehabilitated with upgrades to lighting, navigation and drainage systems, and a new perimeter fence and road.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) acting CEO Theresa Levestam also confirmed that Nausori International Airport, having undergone its aerodrome certification audit, was certified as a code 4C aerodrome with the largest type of aircraft able to use the aerodrome being a Boeing 737 or similar type aircraft.
