Plans to enhance the Labasa airport terminal and upgrade its runway are currently suspended as the necessary land use plan awaits completion. This announcement came from Solomoni Nata, the chief executive officer of the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), who stated that any further steps on the project depend on the finalization of this planning exercise. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting the study on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism.
Initially, the Labasa Airport was set for a temporary closure from February 16 to March 27 to allow for essential runway strengthening work, aimed at ensuring ongoing safety and compliance with international aviation standards. This upgrade also sought to replace the aging Adi Laisa Terminal, which has served the airport since 1973, with a modern facility featuring contemporary amenities such as a baggage carousel and air conditioning.
However, the airport’s development has been complicated by unresolved lease issues, as noted by Mr. Nata. Authorities and TLTB are in ongoing discussions with landowner units regarding these concerns. In a response to inquiries aimed at Fiji Airports Ltd about the project’s status, spokesperson Saleshni Chaudhary did not confirm or deny any details about the scheduling of the project.
The Labasa Airport enhancement is part of the broader Na Vualiku Project, an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. As part of this plan, consultants will engage in a master planning exercise, which includes a comprehensive consultation process with stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, was unavailable for comment at the time of reporting. Mr. Nata emphasized the importance of collaboration with landowners in the airport development, ensuring that they are treated as business partners rather than simply recipients of lease payments.
In a contrasting viewpoint, Kalesi Volatabu, the secretary of Mataqali Nabukarabe from Nakama Village, expressed concerns about the local community’s involvement. She emphasized the need for discussions that focus on how the airport can provide lasting advantages to the community, including revenue sharing, job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and environmental safeguards.
Volatabu highlighted that the clan’s priority is safeguarding their rights, culture, and livelihood, while securing meaningful, long-lasting benefits from the project. She reaffirmed their commitment to an ongoing consultation process to ensure clear agreements regarding economic and social incentives, environmental protections, and timelines for implementation.
As discussions continue, maintaining clear communication between all stakeholders, especially the local landowners, remains essential for the successful development of the Labasa airport and its intended benefits for the community.
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