LABASA Airport will soon be equipped with what the Government says will be the Pacific’s first remote tower system as part of ongoing upgrades aimed at improving aviation services in the North.
Civil Aviation Minister Viliame Gavoka said the project formed part of wider infrastructure improvements under the Na Vualiku tourism development initiative.
“Runway strengthening works at Labasa Airport had been completed, allowing standard ATR aircraft operations to resume,” Mr Gavoka said.
He said additional upgrades would begin shortly to support the airport’s growing role in northern tourism and connectivity.
“These will include a remote tower at Labasa, the first in the Pacific.”
He said the system would use cameras installed at the airport to transmit live images and weather conditions directly to air traffic controllers in Nadi.
“The pilots will know, in real time, the conditions in Labasa before they take off.”
He said the technology would help reduce disruptions caused by poor visibility and changing weather conditions.
The upgrade project will also include a new car park and a fire station.
