The $8.57million upgrade of Labasa Airport will be completed at the end of 2026, six months later than planned.
This after business leaders requested design changes to include a baggage carousel and air-conditioning.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka told Parliament the upgrade, funded by Fiji Airports and supported by the World Bank’s Na Vualiku Project, is being delivered in two phases to keep operations running.
“The construction of a temporary terminal began in October 2024 and was completed ahead of schedule in January 2025,” he said.
“Demolition of the old terminal commenced in early 2025… construction of the new terminal is currently underway and was scheduled for completion by June 2026.”
The larger terminal will lift costs by $2.8m.
The solar-powered building will feature dedicated arrival and departure halls, enhanced passenger amenities and expanded space to meet future demand.
Alongside terminal works, the $32.4m aviation component of the Na Vualiku Project covers runway pavement upgrades, new car parking, fencing, access roads, stormwater systems, a new fire station, creek embankment protection, and procurement of a Remote Tower Aerodrome Flight Information System (AFIS).
Mr Gavoka dismissed claims an ATR72 had landed without approval but confirmed runway upgrades aimed to make Labasa “compliant with the ATR72” under a 10-year plan.
“If we need to open the whole runway, we will go through the whole runway… There will be backup plans, I can assure you of that.”
He said similar work was being explored for Savusavu to handle bigger aircraft, ensuring “there will not come a time where nothing will be flying into Labasa or nearby.”
The airport expansion, he said, reflects Government’s commitment to “unlocking the full economic potential of the North.”