FIJI Airports CEO Mesake Nawari has flagged a new 10-year upgrade plan that will see new hotels, improved technology and expanded retail precincts built at hubs across the country.
Speaking to The Fiji Times yesterday, Nawari said the objective of the 10-year renovation strategy is to make Fiji the leading aviation transit hub in the Pacific region.
“We have a new vision, and the vision is to be the world-class aviation hub for the Blue Pacific,” Nawari said.
While the aviation chief noted Nadi International Airport was performing well in terms of connecting international flights, the country’s largest airport is not built for growing transit traffic and will need to be expanded.
Fiji Airports has also put a tender out for a hotel operator to manage an upcoming accommodation to be positioned adjacent to the Nadi International Airport carpark, with a view to incentivising more transit passengers to book a stopover stay and explore the country.
“I’m hoping that people will say, ’10 hours is a bit long, we’ll take one day or even a 12-hour break and then go on to our next flight’,” Nawari said.
When the hotel is up and running, Nawari confirmed it is likely to be operated by a brand name, but that further details are under wraps for now.
Part of the transit hotel development will also look to incorporate restaurants and retail outlets nearby as part of a wider tourism project.
Contactless passenger customer service is another priority of the 10-year plan, with Fiji Airports to transition to a more contactless system using smart gates and biometric technology.
“A high number of our visitors are Australians, and in Australia they experience this, so they will expect to experience that when they go through our airports,” Nawari observed.
“This would also reduce queuing, leaving ample space in the airport, and we will begin to see close to the end of this year the preparation for more self-check-ins,” he added.
Nausori Airport will likely be the second hub to receive upgrades following Nadi. AB
