Airports Fiji Limited has confirmed that remedial sealant works on Nausori International Airport runway resumed last week.

AFL’s contractor, Supersealing from Australia, has been carrying out works at night under the supervision of AFL’s consultants, Erasito Beca.

AFL executive chairman, Faiz Khan, said Erasito Beca is testing the sealant product at the same time.

“We are unable to comment on when the remedial works will be completed,” he said.

“However, we are hopeful the works are completed as soon as possible so that we are in a position to recommence Boeing 737 flight operations out of Nausori.

“Our primary objective is to ensure that safety is not compromised.”

When asked what is taking so long for the remedial works, Mr Khan said: “Remedial works can only take place at night depending on weather.

“The contractor is working with the consultant to ensure that the extent of remedial works are adequate.”

Mr Khan confirmed the sealing remedial works has had no impact on the other flights operating out of the Nausori Airport.

The only scheduled flights which cannot operate is Fiji Airways Boeing 737 aircraft-operated flights.

Background

AFL has brought in a specialised contractor, Supersealing, from Australia to seal cracks at the Nausori International Airport in a month back.

The reason for the crack sealing works was to give a longer life to the current Nausori runway to service airlines and passengers.

This was whilst work on the more permanent runway expansion over the next three years continued.

However the sealant they applied could not cure resulting in flight cancellations due to precautionary reasons.

While the initial green light had been given for flights to resume, Fiji Airways’ consultants advised it was not safe to operate the Boeing 737s out of Nausori.

And thus, AFL has brought back the contractor to carry out remedial works on the runway.

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