Waiqele Airport land acquisition under way as Northern Fiji’s infrastructure push accelerates
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources has begun land acquisition works for the proposed Waiqele Airport in Labasa, signaling a major step in a national development initiative that officials say will reshape Vanua Levu and the Northern Division. In a ministry release, the project is described as more than an upgrade—it is a doorway to economic opportunity, improved connectivity, and a brighter future for the North.
The ministry, working in partnership with Fiji Airports and the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), says it is leading the groundwork through land identification, geospatial mapping, and direct engagement with landowners and tenants in the Waiqele area. The first phase involves pinpointing strategically located land parcels, conducting detailed title and boundary searches via the Geospatial Division, and conducting consultations with the TLTB and affected landowners. Valuation and compensation planning will proceed under the State Acquisition of Lands Act 1940, with the ministry emphasising transparency and fairness at every step.
Officials stress that land rights and environmental responsibility will remain at the forefront as progress continues. Valuers and land officials are meeting with communities to ensure stakeholders are well-informed and justly compensated as part of a process designed to be open and consultative.
Context from related developments shows Waiqele’s upgrade is part of a broader effort to modernize Northern Fiji’s aviation infrastructure. A temporary terminal at Waiqele Airport is nearing completion and set to begin operations ahead of schedule, with major works for a permanent terminal slated to start in February. Fiji Airports has placed about $8 million into the broader development, underscoring a long-term commitment to improving air connectivity for residents, businesses, and visitors in the Northern Division. The ongoing project continues to position Labasa as a pivotal gateway for the region, while a government-owned airport network overseen by Fiji Airports aims to boost tourism, economic activity, and regional growth.
Key takeaways
– The land acquisition phase is the initial step in Waiqele Airport’s broader upgrade, involving land parcel identification, mapping, and stakeholder consultations.
– The process highlights transparency and fair compensation for landowners and tenants under the State Acquisition of Lands Act 1940.
– The Waiqele upgrade complements the temporary terminal project and the forthcoming permanent terminal, financed in part by a significant investment from Fiji Airports.
– The broader goal is stronger connectivity, tourism potential, and economic development for Labasa and the Northern Division, with environmental and community interests kept central.
What to watch next
– The timeline and outcomes of landowner consultations and compensation determinations.
– Progress on the temporary terminal’s opening timetable and the start of permanent terminal construction.
– How the ongoing upgrade influences tourism, business activity, and regional growth in the North.
Overall, the initiation of land acquisition work for Waiqele Airport reflects a coordinated effort to advance Fiji’s northern infrastructure while upholding land rights and environmental stewardship, with the potential for lasting positive impacts on communities and the regional economy.
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