Labasa airport is undergoing runway pavement upgrade works as part of a World Bank-funded $10million project for five outer island airports.
These include the Savusavu airport and airstrips in Matei on Taveuni, Lakeba in Lau, and Rotuma.
Fiji Airports Ltd chief executive officer Mesake Nawari said work had already begun in Labasa, and should be completed by the end of the year.
“We will also start the works of the new terminal building in the next couple of weeks,” Mr Nawari said in Fiji Airports’ submission to the Parliamentary standing committee on Social Affairs early this month.
He said the newly-built building will have to be dismantled.
“We have to build a new one there because we don’t have any land to build a new one totally.
“But once we find a new land, we hope that the World Bank, because they have identified a potential piece of land at Labasa Airport, can build a new terminal building.
“Once we’re able to get the lease, then hopefully the World Bank can agree to fund a totally new building there, and use the building that we’re going to build for something else in commercial or lease it out.”
According to Fiji Airports director Projects Niranjwan Chettiar, proposed upgrades to domestic airports in the Northern Division – under Fiji Airports’ Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu – also foresee improvements to the airfield’s aviation facilities such as remote tower, and airport rescue and fire-fighting facilities with the World Bank funding through the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
At a recent business council conference, Mr Chettiar said the construction of a new terminal can cater for the present capacity at least for the next five to 10 years.
He said runway pavement upgrades are part of phase one for the five outer airfields and phase two will begin next year.
Flame Tree Development Fiji Ltd was awarded the $10m contract in April this year to carry out the pavement maintenance projects at Labasa and the other four airports.
Fiji Airports is also collaborating with the Government for assistance with land acquisition to extend Matei’s runaway and terminal building.
