Our modern airport enhances our position as the undisputed hub of region
Terminal the envy of the region and beyond, boosting the visitor experience
It now has the capacity to handle more people coupled with a quicker more comfortable service for arrivals and departures.
Nadi International Airport has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings since the first airstrips were constructed in 1939. What was once used as an airfield by the United States military during the Pacific War in 1941 has now become the crossroad for the Pacific with the handling of hundreds of thousands of visitors.
The Government, working closely with Fiji Airports, has transformed the terminal to a modern structure that surely would be the envy of countries in the region and internationally.
The $105 million upgrade has raised its standard on the international scene and now showcases a world-class facility that will definitely bring a totally new dimension to Fiji’s tourism experience.
It now has the capacity to handle more people coupled with a quicker more comfortable service for arrivals and departures.
New x-ray machines at the arrivals section have increased security and safety awareness for both the travelling public and the country.
Last night Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama officially opened the upgraded terminal.
It silenced critics who had branded the whole project as a waste of money.
These people failed to see beyond their noses on the benefits of the new facility and the revenue.
Fiji Airports’ executive chairman, Faiz Khan, had stated that the project had been funded entirely at the organisation’s financial strength of borrowing without Government guarantees.
He had added that the commitment for this project had brought about unprecedented financial discipline in other areas of its expenditure.
As Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Civil Service and Communications Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says, our visitors’ first and last impression of the country is what is at the airport. He encouraged Fiji Airports Ltd staff during the rebranding of their name to do simple things like picking up any rubbish or paper on the floor.
This is a sure emphasis on the standard that needed to be maintained along with cleanliness and which Mr Sayed-Khaiyum demands being the Minister responsible.
He alluded to Singapore’s award-winning Changi Airport which many travellers prefer to pass through on long distance hauls because of its facilities, service and especially its cleanliness.
The modern retailers at Nadi airport now boast new modern images, a far cry from the old outlets.
The new development has made these outlets prime real estate as compared to about five years ago when previous outlets paid a lower rent than businessness in the Namaka area.
The airport is the main hub of Fiji Airways and its domestic subsidiary Fiji Link.
New Zealand first developed Nadi as a trans-Pacific air services key link after World War Two. It did so on behalf of the South Pacific Air Transport Council. At independence in 1970, the Fijian government began participating in the organisation of Nadi Airport, and full control was handed over by New Zealand and the Council in 1979.
Today, Nadi International Airport is a national pride and our main gateway to the rest of the world. Now we can say with authority that we are the undisputed hub of the region and the best.