An artist’s impression of the path leading up to the modernised Nadi International Airport.
By RACHNA LAL
Airports Fiji Limited has received approval from both Government and its board on the final version of the Nadi International Airport departure check-in design.
Chairman, Faiz Khan, confirmed final copies have been approved jointly by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and the Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
He said designs have been done by the architectural firm, Woods Bagot, from Brisbane Australia.
Mr Khan said the brief for the design was to have high ceilings with as much natural light as possible.
“The air-condition vents are to be at the highest point of eight feet above floor level,” he said.
“The general theme of the upgrades is to have an airport that feels spacious, with all modern amenities for the business travellers, families, tourists and all Fijians.”
Modernisation plan
This follows the groundbreaking ceremony the past month to begin the ambitious $75 million Nadi International Airport modernisation project.
The entire project is expected to take some 15 months to complete and would be entirely funded by Airports Fiji.
Stage one of this project involves the extension and redevelopment of departures lounge is scheduled to finish in August 2014.
There will also be a kids play area which Mr Khan said would be good for parents.
“The prayer room will be common to people of all religious beliefs,” he said.
“The duty free, specialty retail stores, and food and beverages, will have class and quality seen at other well renowned international airports.”
Attraction for more airlines
Mr Khan said the VIP lounges will focus on getting premium airlines to Fiji and there will also be attraction for medium to low cost carriers.
“We hope that our efforts of building a truly world class international terminal results in Singapore Airlines, Emirates, many Chinese carriers and other well renowned carriers from Asia flying directly to Nadi,” he said.
“We are optimistic of expansion of our business where there will be more for all stakeholders.”
Mr Khan described this to be an exciting yet challenging for time everyone at Airports Fiji.
“All the managers realise that this opportunity to be part of something great in Fiji’s airport history comes with great responsibility,” he said.
“Despite challenges of building at an operational airport, our team is geared to drive this project across the finish line,” he said.