Safety first: Cancel, divert, delay

Safety is paramount.

The undertone was heavy in a message from Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji chief executive Theresa Levestam yesterday, after a technical glitch impacted six flights at the weekend.

Last Saturday, lighting on the runway was affected by lightening.

Fiji Airports cited the incidences as temporary disruptions.

The issue was later identified during a routine start of night inspection at approximately 7:15 pm.

The full functionality of the runway lighting system was restored by 8:30 pm, Fiji Airports said.

Ms Levestam said measures upheld by Fiji Airports - despite the inconvenience caused to - were in line with international aviation safety practice.

“While diversions and delays are understandably inconvenient for passengers, the decision to divert inbound flights as a precaution is consistent when essential runway lighting is not available, flight crews and operators must take the safest available option” Ms Levestsam said.

As a precautionary safety measure, a number of inbound flights had to be diverted in line with international aviation safety standards.

These included:

-FJ 950 and FJ 960 and FJ274, which diverted to Nausori International Airport.

- FJ 910, which diverted to Faleolo International Airport in Samoa.

Two departing flights also faced disruptions:

- FJ 413 - initially scheduled to depart at 8pm departed at 8.45pm.

- FJ 915 cancelled because of the curfew in Sydney.

Fiji Airports issued an apology for the inconvenience and anxiety that met with the disruption.

“Your safety and that of our airline partners and their crews remains our absolute priority,” Fiji Airports said.