Runway lighting issue at Nadi International Airport resolved

Operations at Nadi International Airport were temporarily disrupted this afternoon after heavy thunderstorms and intense lightning affected the runway edge lighting on both runways.

Fiji Airports said the lightning strike is believed to have occurred between 2pm and 3pm, with the issue detected during a routine start-of-night inspection at around 7.15pm.

A technical response team was immediately deployed, and full functionality of the runway lighting system was restored by 8.30pm.

As a precaution and in line with international aviation safety standards, several inbound flights were diverted. These included four Fiji Airways services — FJ950, FJ960 and FJ274, which diverted to Nausori International Airport, and FJ910, which diverted to Faleolo International Airport in Samoa.

Two departing flights were also affected. Fiji Airways flight FJ413, originally scheduled to depart at 8pm, later departed at 8.45pm, while FJ915 was cancelled due to the Sydney curfew.

Fiji Airports acknowledged the inconvenience caused and apologised to affected passengers and their families.

“We understand the disruption may have caused anxiety and inconvenience for passengers and their families, and for that, Fiji Airports sincerely apologise. Your safety and that of our airline partners and their crews remains our absolute priority,” the company said.

Fiji Airports also thanked passengers, airlines and the airport community for their patience, cooperation and understanding during the unforeseen weather-related disruption.