Fiji Airways had issued travel alerts warning passengers travelling on the Nadi–Vava’u route of possible baggage delays because of fuel unavailability in Vava’u, a situation that affected travellers during the peak holiday period.

In advisories published on December 23 and December 28, the airline said limited fuel supply from the sole fuel provider in Vava’u required aircraft to uplift additional contingency fuel from Nadi.

“This resulted in strict weight and balance limitations, leading to checked baggage being off-loaded on some services,” Fiji Airways said.

“Any bags not accepted for carriage were delayed and transported on the next available flight with sufficient payload capacity, subject to operational requirements.”

Despite the warning, some passengers said the delays caused significant disruption, particularly during year-end celebrations.

Namoe Sau told The Fiji Times her daughter arrived in Vava’u on a Fiji Airways flight from Nadi without her luggage.

The bags contained meat brought from Auckland for a church’s annual year-end celebration held on December 31.

“We are church ministers on the island, and the luggage was time-sensitive, and its delayed arrival affected preparations for the event,” Mrs Sau said.

“I had contacted airline staff seeking assistance but were given differing information regarding the missing luggage.”

Mrs Sau said several passengers on the same flight did not receive their baggage and were told the luggage belonged to travellers from earlier services.

Fiji Airways, in its travel alerts, had advised passengers to carry essential items, medication and overnight necessities in hand luggage where possible.