Fiji Airports has signed a $10.4 million contract with Australia-based company RATE to equip Nadi International Airport with six new passenger boarding aerobridges.
Chief Executive Mesake Nawari says this investment is aimed at replacing aging infrastructure and accommodating future passenger needs at Nadi Airport. He also mentioned that it will enhance passenger experience and improve operational efficiency.
As part of their terminal expansion and master plan, two new aerobridges will be installed, and four will replace existing ones on the apron to accommodate widebody aircraft like the A350s. This includes adding three new passenger aerobridges for Gates 1, 2A, and 2B, which will enable optimal utilization of parking stands on the apron.
The aerobridges will allow passengers to board and deplane aircraft directly from the terminal, providing a convenient and efficient boarding process. Each aerobridge, costing approximately $1.74 million, will take at least seven months to manufacture.
Installation is set to begin next year, with hopes to commission the first aerobridges in the first half of 2025. Nawari mentions that the investment in aerobridges and associated developments at Nadi International Airport is part of the organization’s 25th-anniversary plans.
Nadi International Airport currently has five operational passenger boarding aerobridges. With the addition of six new aerobridges, the number of operational aerobridges will increase to eight, including three entirely new ones.