Kokomo Private Island Hangar Now Open
Lang Walker's newest investment include the Kokomo Aviation Hangar at Nadi International Airport at a cost of around $45 million which includes assets, staff and facilities.
Monday 29 April 2019 | 03:46
Owner of Kokomo Private Island Lang Walker (far right), with (l-r) Project manager Damien Harding, Executive Chairman Fiji Airports Faiz Khan, Kokomo Director Aviation Brett Holden, and Chief Operating Officer Fiji Airways Paul Doherty, at the opening of the hangar at Nadi Airport.
Kokomo Private Island owner, Sydney based real estate developer Lang Walker, loves Fiji.
This goes back 50 years, and has resulted in investments of over AUD$120 million to set up his business here.
Mr Walker’s determined to make Kokomo Private Island Resort the best in the world in four years.
Related stories
Investment
His investments included the opening of the new Kokomo Aviation Hangar at Nadi International Airport on Friday at a cost of around $45 million which includes assets, staff and facilities.
Hangar
The hangar includes a state of the art VIP lounge for guests to rest in while either waiting to be transferred out to Kokomo Island or waiting for a connecting flight out of Fiji, offices and the massive hangar space.
Mr Walker said he started visiting Fiji more than 50 years ago as a tourist and simply loved the country.
How did you find setting up your business here?
“Setting up in Fiji had taken longer than anticipated as there was a lot of red tape and bureaucracy.
“We were determined to create a vision and have the world’s best island resort and also all the services that go with that, the aircraft, helicopters and the servicing of our guests.
“We are trying to successfully to lift the bar, with the quality of everything we do.”
What plans do you have for Kokomo?
“The immediate plan is in four years’ time to be the best owned resort in the world.
“This is for quality, food, service, activities and the staff who have been working with the Fijian people and trained to world class standard.
“We are just looking at lifting the bar in doing our transfers, having twin helicopters rather than single dengine helicopters.”
Mr Walker said purchasing or changing the present aircraft was on the radar and they were certainly looking at that now.
“We are looking at the safety of our guests and making sure the experience is safe.
“We were determined to create a vision and have the world’s best island resort and all the services that go with that including, the aircrafts, helicopters and the servicing of our guests.”
Why did you decide to invest here?
“I love Fiji.
“I have been coming here for over 50 years.
“I first came to Fiji and stayed at Castaway Island for a holiday and since then we have been coming back ever since.
“Fiji ticks all the boxes for me.
“In 2012, I bought Kokomo - I just love the natural beauty of the island.
“I have invested around $120million AUD.”
Best luxury
“We want to have the best luxury in Fiji as it is such a beautiful country although it has taken a little bit longer then I thought.
“For our guests, their safety is the first and foremost and then we have the best facility.
“We want to make the experience good for our guests and I am proud of the whole team for putting this together.”
Earlier, the company’s Director Aviation Brett Holden said the hangar was incredibly important moment for Kokomo Aviation going forward.
Philosophy
“Our philosophy is to be inclusive,” Mr Holden said.
