Labasa’s businesses are worried about the upcoming airport closure, saying it could hit the Northern economy hard.
The Labasa Chambers of Commerce president, Vinesh Dayal, said the chambers had asked in late 2025 for the airport works to be done in two phases.
That, he said would allow smaller planes to keep flying and give businesses time to plan.
He said they had also suggested the project to start after the cyclone season, from April 2026, to avoid major disruptions.
“Air travel is vital for tourism, medical trips, and investments,” Mr Dayal said.
However, he claimed issues that they had raised during the meeting with the two Fiji Airports staff at the Commissioner’s Office last year were not heard.
“Rerouting all passengers through Savusavu will seriously affect businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.”
With the closure going ahead, the organisation is calling for clear plans from Fiji Airports.
“This includes support for businesses, alternative travel options, a promise that the closure won’t be extended, and regular updates throughout the work.”
He said they supported airport upgrades but warned the development must not hurt livelihoods or the northern economy.
Questions sent to the Fiji Airports last week remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
The Labasa Airport will be temporarily closed from February 16 to March 27 this year to facilitate critical runway pavement strengthening to ensure long-term safety, structural integrity and continued compliance with international aviation standards.
Fiji Airports had announced alternative plans had been put in place to cater for the travelling public and the business community to the Northern Division during the closure period. It had announced that Fiji Airways’ domestic carrier Fiji Link would operate 44 additional flights to and from Savusavu Airport during this period, while Northern Air will operate two daily flights on the same Savusavu route.
