THE revamped departure lounge and part of the arrivals concourse at the Nadi International Airport will be first to reopen as part of the gateway’s $105million facelift, says project manager David Crute.

“The departure lounge upstairs will be opening as part of the first completed sections in July this year,” he said.

“We’re having tenants move into those spaces in April or May to enable them to begin their fit-out processes and that’s the main target in the first few months.”

As the country’s busiest gateway undergoes a $105m facelift, Mr Crute said it was critical to ensure it was business as usual for the thousands that used the airport annually.

“The main issue is to keep the airport operational and operating effectively whilst we’re undertaking refurbishment.”