Runway upgrade works at Rotuma Airport have been completed well ahead of schedule. Fiji Airports Chief Executive Mesake Nawari praised the efforts of the project contractors, Flame Tree Development (Fiji) Pte Ltd, for their outstanding execution of the upgrade, which included crucial safety enhancements.
Nawari mentioned that the Fiji Airports projects team recently visited the island to witness the project’s completion and the official handover of the works by the contractors. He emphasized the importance of the runway maintenance for operational efficiency and thanked the contractors for finishing the work ahead of time. He also expressed gratitude towards customers and stakeholders for their ongoing support during the two-week maintenance period, noting that bi-weekly flight operations were unaffected.
Additionally, Nawari acknowledged the Rotuma Island Council, the seven chiefs, and traditional owners who attended the airport to celebrate the completion of this significant upgrade. The work at Rotuma Airport involved not only runway pavement upgrades but also landslip remediation, runway shoulder resealing, and fence enhancements.
The project timeline was established in consultation with stakeholders prior to the work’s initiation. Earlier this year, Fiji Airports announced a $10 million investment for runway maintenance projects across five of its 14 outer island stations, including Labasa, Rotuma, Savusavu, Lakeba, and Matei (Taveuni). This initiative is part of Fiji Airports’ ongoing commitment to maintaining government-owned outer island airports.
Nawari indicated that Fiji Airports intends to continue discussions with the government regarding funding to improve facilities at outer island airports as well as Nausori. The scheduled maintenance works at these five airports are fully funded by Fiji Airports.
Rotuma Airport is one of the 14 airports owned by the Fijian government and managed by Fiji Airports. Rotuma Island Council Chairman Gagaj Manav expressed appreciation for the improvements made at the airport runway, highlighting the collaboration with the contractors. The Council, along with the seven district chiefs, was given a tour of the runway, apron, and taxiway after a brief overview of the airport’s operations and business.