FIJI Airports Ltd has signed a JPY1.18 billion (approx. $F18million) contract with Japan-based TEC International as it progresses its work in its aviation modernisation agenda to improve aviation security across the country’s airport facilities.
The project will introduce critical upgrades in air navigation systems, emergency preparedness and flight procedure design.
Fiji Airports chief executive officer Mesake Nawari said the collaboration stressed the two countries’ shared commitment in fostering safer skies and resilient aviation infrastructure throughout the Pacific.
Last year, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Japan’s ambassador to Fiji Rokuichiro Michii signed an Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement to formalise the Project for Improvement of Aviation Safety Facilities.
The project aimed to improve the safety of Fiji’s aircraft operations and contribute to improving transport infrastructure capacity and sustainable growth, and it entailed provision of equipment and technical support by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Fiji Airports confirmed the key project components under the grant include the installation of two VHF Omnidirectional Radio Beacons or Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) at Momi in Nadi and Labasa Airport to enhance enroute and terminal navigation.
It will also include the deployment of five airport rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicles at stations in Nausori, Labasa, Savusavu and Matei airports; and three rescue boats for Nadi International Airport’s ARFF team to boost emergency water response capabilities in the Nadi Bay.
“We are grateful to JICA and the government of Japan for their continued support,” Mr Nawari said.
He said earlier this year their Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) officers had graduated from the Instrument Flight Procedure Design Course as part of this grant agreement.
He said that accreditation allowed those specialists the ability to design new approach procedures based on VOR/DME for Nadi International and Labasa airports, and update flight procedures that used VOR/DME, and NDB (non-directional beacon) at Nadi International Airport.
He added they would be able to update relevant airways and create new ones if necessary, in conjunction with VOR/DME installations.
“The Soft Component training has already been delivered with Fiji Airports staff who are in the process of updating the required Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) associated with the new VOR/DME as part of their on-the-job training,” Mr Nawari said.
“They will also be able to design the new approach and departure procedures for Nadi and Labasa airports when the upgraded VOR/DME system is operational and provide updates to existing flight procedures and airways based on the new infrastructure.
“Fiji Airports personnel are actively updating procedures as part of their training and the project is being carried out with the technical leadership of Japanese consultants.”
This project is part of Fiji Airports’ broader modernisation strategy to ensure global compliance and enhance air traffic services across the nation’s airspace.
Mr Nawari and general manager ATM and Operations Amit Singh participated in the award signing that was held recently at the Fiji Embassy in Japan.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated July 5, 2025
