Labasa Airport is set to reopen on March 27 after a temporary closure to allow for major runway pavement strengthening works, Fiji Airports has confirmed, bringing relief to travellers and businesses across the Northern Division. The company said construction has progressed well despite weather-related setbacks and the facility will be ready by next Friday.
Fiji Airports described the upgrade as essential for the long-term future of the facility. “These works are vital to long-term safety, structural integrity, and continued compliance with international aviation standards,” the operator said in a statement, underlining that the pavement strengthening is intended to ensure the airport meets global safety and operational requirements.
The closure, imposed to allow engineers unobstructed access to the runway, disrupted scheduled flights and cargo movements in and out of Labasa, affecting passenger travel and supply chains. Tourism operators, small businesses and exporters in the Northern Division — who rely heavily on predictable air links to markets and visitors — were among those most affected during the works, industry sources said.
Local business leaders welcomed the announcement. Vinesh Dayal, president of the Labasa Chambers of Commerce, said the upgraded infrastructure will improve reliability and support future growth in the region’s aviation and tourism sectors. “The reopening next Friday will mark a key milestone in efforts to modernise Fiji’s domestic airport network and strengthen regional connectivity,” Dayal said, adding that improved runway standards should reduce cancellations and delays that have hindered commerce.
Fiji Airports did not provide a precise timeline for how long the facility was closed, but noted that weather had caused some delays to the programme. Officials have indicated the strengthening works are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade domestic aviation infrastructure across Fiji to meet evolving safety and regulatory expectations.
The return of regular flights will be watched closely by businesses and tourism operators in Labasa and the wider Northern Division, where air access is a critical link to Suva, Nadi and international gateways. Restoring consistent air connectivity is expected to deliver an immediate lift to economic activity by enabling cargo movements and bringing back the flow of visitors at a time when operators are seeking to rebuild and expand services.
With the March 27 reopening date confirmed, airlines, freight handlers and local tourism businesses will be coordinating schedules and logistics to resume normal operations. Fiji Airports has signalled the project’s completion as a step toward longer-term resilience for the northern air transport network, while business groups hope the works will translate quickly into tangible economic gains for the region.
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