Fiji Airports reported a temporary disruption at Nadi International Airport due to heavy thunderstorms and significant lightning activity impacting the area this afternoon. The disturbance, believed to have occurred between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, affected the runway edge lighting on both runways.
The issue was detected during a routine inspection conducted around 7:15 PM. Responding quickly, the technical team successfully restored full functionality of the runway lighting system by 8:30 PM. To prioritize safety, several inbound flights were diverted as a precaution, following international aviation safety protocols. Among the affected flights were three Fiji Airways services—FJ950, FJ960, and FJ274—that redirected to Nausori International Airport, and FJ910, which was diverted to Faleolo International Airport in Samoa.
Additionally, two departing flights were impacted; FJ413, originally scheduled to leave at 8:00 PM, departed later at 8:45 PM, while FJ915 was cancelled due to the curfew in Sydney.
Fiji Airports has expressed understanding of the inconvenience caused and offered their sincere apologies to the passengers and their families. “We understand this may have caused anxiety and inconvenience. The safety of passengers, airline partners, and their crews remains our absolute priority,” the statement read. The airport authority also extended gratitude to passengers, airlines, and the broader airport community for their patience and cooperation during this unexpected weather-related event.
Such swift response and commitment to safety reinforce the importance of readiness in aviation operations, highlighting the dedication of airport officials to ensuring smooth travel experiences even in the face of challenging weather conditions.
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