Attorney-General and Minister responsible for Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Airports Fiji Limited has an important role in the development of Fiji Airways Group.

He made the comment while announcing the Fiji Airways 2016 finacial results in Nadi yesterday.

“Before I came here, when I was with AFL, I told AFL that with the modernisation of Nadi International Airport, that we must give Fiji Airways their prominence,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“Because Fiji Airways is not just another airline flying out of Nadi Airport, Fiji Airways is the national carrier of Fiji.”

He said tourism contributed approximately 36 per cent to Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product and about 70 per cent of those who arrived by international airlines were carried by Fiji Airways.

“So it is very important that Nadi Airport is branded and seen as the gateway for Fiji Airways also.”

He added that Fiji Airways had invested a significant amount of money in a Tabua Lounge it’s developing, and AFL had made some decision to work together with Fiji Airways.