The iconic brand new departures passenger drop off area at the Nadi International Airport has been released for public use.

Airports Fiji Ltd executive chairman Faiz Khan said: “This is one of the biggest milestones of this project that is being delivered in stages. The new departures drop off area has two lanes with one lane being dedicated for buses.

“By doing so we have increased drop off capacity by more than 100 per cent compared with the previous set-up.

“The curved roof over the drop off area is 3400 square meters, it provides cover in rain, the footpaths are wider, there is a new drainage system and enhanced security features through CCTV cameras, etc. Above all, it feels great,” Mr Khan said.

“Once you get off at the departures covered drop off area you will experience a world class airport facility. You will enter the high ceiling departures terminal and spacious departures immigration area.

“We are trying to create a seamless flow for our passengers to ensure they have more dwell time in our world renowned duty free shopping outlets which are available in the departures lounge. Excellence in service delivery is our ultimate goal.

“All this is great news for the tourism industry and all Fijians. Nadi International airport is the gateway to Fiji processing around 98 per cent of passengers in and out of Fiji.

“It is the first and last impression of most people international travellers to Fiji. We hope this iconic entrance to the departures terminal will create a lasting impression.

“The transformation from the old to the new airport has been delivered in stages. The biggest challenge for us was keeping the airport operational whilst we constructed a new airport in stages playing hopscotch.

“At the same time we had to deal with latent conditions and unknowns with 70 years’ old terminal buildings structures, with many areas having lost their structural integrity. Whatever issues we identified with the structural integrity, sub-ground services, building services, stormwater drainages, asbestos, we fixed as we discovered.”

Mr Khan thanked the AFL staff, Hawkins PBS, TTT consultants and all other contractors for their contributions to this project so far.

“The past three years has been a struggle with the many challenges in carrying out this project.

“We at AFL are proud of the achievements, yet we must remain humble. There is so much more to do as we dream big.

“Rotuma runway construction is now underway. Matei scoping study and topographical survey; and Nausori selection of consultant for the scoping study are also underway right now,” said Mr Khan.

“It must be underscored that we cannot modernise the entire Fijian airports’ network at Nadi and the 14 other airports we operate without the vision and support of this Government,” Mr Khan said.

He said the airport upgrade was worth $130 million.

“The main contract works by our contractor Hawkins PBS is scheduled to finish at the end of March.

“However, we will still have works going on for the car park civils, landscaping and an additional new scope of works in arrivals level 1 that came about after TC Winston damage.

“These works will be carried out over the next six months,” he said.

Source: Airports Fiji Limited

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