Samoa customs said the items were detected during standard screening and examination processes.

The case centres on claims that a charter flight which took Fijian pilgrims to Israel on a religious tour in 2023 failed to pay the airfare.

Fiji Airports chief executive officer Mesake Nawari said the temporary closure was necessary to facilitate essential upgrades to the runway.

The honour recognises Scurrah’s significant service to the transport, logistics and freight sectors in Australia, where he has held senior leadership roles for more than two decades.

Fiji Airways’ domestic arm, Fiji Link, will operate 44 additional flights to and from Savusavu Airport during the closure period.

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