Condition of Airport Terminals in the North Raises Concern
Requests for a port of entry in Labasa has been pending for quite some time. Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries vice president and Macuata Tourism Association president Paul Jaduram will be contacting the relevant authoritites and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka to look into the urgent upgrade of Labasa airport.
Mr Jaduram said there were enough hotels, rooms and people on the ground and it’s the lack of infrastructure holding them back. “I am aware that the previous government has looked at building a port of entry for Labasa, but finding the right place was the main issue,” Mr Jaduram said. “I understand that the construction of a port of entry is expensive but we can’t continue to deprive the people of Labasa.”
Labasa Airport
Mr Jaduram said the terminal at Labasa airport hasn’t been upgraded for a long time.
“I am a daily customer of Fiji Link and it is really sad to find that the condition of Labasa airport hasn’t changed.
“During heavy rain the roof of the terminal is leaking, there is not enough ventilation during this hot season and the airport staff continue to struggle in their small working space,” he said.
CCTV
“With the increasing flow of local and overseas tourists to Labasa Airport there should be installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).”
Mr Jaduram said while it may not be a requirement for Labsa airport to have a CCT, it is however the busiest airports in Vanua Levu.
He said the investigation into the $850,000 cash belonging to Westpac Fiji allegedly exchanged with rims of A4 paper on April 13, 2022 during a routine money transfer assignment escorted from the Westpac Bank Savusavu branch to Labasa Airport bound for the main branch in Suva was a wakeup call for everyone.
Savusavu Aiport
Savusavu Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Savusavu Tourism Association welcomes Fiji Airports’ plan to build a new stylish terminal and car park for Savusavu Airport.
Savusavu Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Ravi Chhaganlal said he hopes the Fiji Airports chief executive officer Rowan Chalmers, would complete this project which has been planned for next year.
“I could still remember several promises were made by the company including such a similar project just before the 2018 general election but it didn’t happen,” Mr Chhaganlal said.
“With the remarkable increasing number of local and overseas tourists accessing our Savusavu Airport during this festive season, it’s high time for the company to carry out much needed pending work.”
Fiji Airports
Early this month, Mr Chalmers said aviation has always been resilient and Fiji Airports would continue to work with its industry partners to build back better for its customers and communities.
“All in all, Fiji Airports has seen a substantial recovery throughout 2022,” Mr Chalmers said.
“Our aim for the new year is to build back better and stronger, so that we can deliver even better experiences to our customers and offer more support to our stakeholders, agencies and the people we serve.”
Mr Chalmers said they would restart with the capital project of Savusavu Airport next year and it would be delivered in the next 18 months.
Savusavu Tourism continue market destination
Savusavu Tourism Association chairperson Delia Rothnie-Jones said she wasn’t aware of this project planned for Savusavu Airport. “I haven’t seen the design yet but it is something we will welcome,” Ms Rothnie-Jones said.
“We are grateful that after COVID-19 business has come back.”
She said hoteliers and resort owners continue to market destinations through social media.