Air Terminals Services (Fiji) is moving ahead with a major expansion plan in Nadi, securing land for a new catering centre that is slated to begin construction in the first quarter of next year. CEO Alan Suchin said the project marks a significant investment in the company’s infrastructure.
The new facility is intended to serve as a comprehensive catering hub, including administration offices, a manufacturing kitchen, and a storage area. The proposed site sits next to ATS’s existing catering centre at Nadi International Airport, with two parcels of land involved. One parcel has already been purchased across the road in the Nasoso development area, while the second, currently under sale and purchase, sits beside ATS’s old catering centre—both properties are in Nadi.
ATS has estimated the project cost at between 30 and 40 million dollars. The company is in the process of identifying a project manager to oversee the build and execution, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned once a suitable candidate is secured. The firm has faced some challenges in filling the role, having advertised for a second time.
As part of its planning, ATS conducted a feasibility study that included visits to airline catering facilities in India to glean best practices. Government channels and the Indian Embassy arranged tours to facilities in Delhi and Bangalore, where the team reviewed operations spanning procurement, manufacturing, and onboarding to aircraft services.
Contextual note: This expansion occurs amid broader momentum in Fiji’s aviation sector. Fiji Airports has outlined an ambitious decade-long program featuring 18 development projects for Nadi and Nausori airports, including a landside master plan developed with COX Architecture Pty Ltd. The master plan, aligned with an overarching airside plan for 2024–2048, aims to enhance non-aeronautical revenue and diversify the business while maintaining core airport operations. These parallel efforts reflect a shared drive to modernize Fiji’s aviation infrastructure, boost tourism, and support economic growth.
Additional input for readers:
– The ATS project could bolster airline service capacity at Nadi by improving catering throughput and supply chain efficiency.
– Local supplier engagement and potential job opportunities may accompany the construction and future operation of the new centre.
– The broader aviation upgrades in Fiji are likely to enhance the travel experience for residents and visitors alike, reinforcing Fiji’s position as a regional aviation hub.
Summary: ATS’s land purchase in Nadi to support a new 30–40 million catering centre signals a forward-looking upgrade to Fiji’s aviation support services, aligning with wider airport modernization efforts and a growing tourism-driven economy. The initiative emphasizes not only improved in-house catering capabilities but also potential benefits for local suppliers, employment, and the broader aviation ecosystem.
Notes for editors:
– The project underscores the ongoing trend of investment in aviation infrastructure and related services in Fiji, complementing major master-planning initiatives for Nadi and Nausori airports.
– A positive outlook is tied to sustained tourism demand, continued modernization of facilities, and effective collaboration between government, industry, and international partners.
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