Nadi Airport Runway Blackout Forces Review of Critical Backup Systems

Fiji Airports has acknowledged significant infrastructure gaps following a runway lights blackout at Nadi International Airport earlier this month. The incident, which occurred on January 10, caused major disruption to the Pacific aviation hub. The airport's primary international gateway was non-operational for over five hours.

Incident Details and Cause

The runway lights were non-functional from approximately 3:00 PM until 8:30 PM. The failure was traced to a lightning strike that hit a transmitter. This strike occurred between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The lightning caused a system failure, disabling the essential runway edge lighting.

Fiji Airports Chief Executive Officer Mesake Nawari confirmed the incident. He stated that the outage highlighted the need to review and strengthen existing airport backup systems. While some control and relay rooms remained functional, the primary runway lighting failed.

Impact on Flight Operations

The temporary closure of the runway forced several inbound flights to divert. This action was taken as a safety precaution, aligning with international aviation safety standards.

• Multiple Fiji Airways flight diversions occurred, including services from Canberra, Port Vila, Adelaide, and Tonga.
• Flights were rerouted to alternate airports, including Nausori International Airport and Faleolo International Airport in Apia, Samoa.
• A Virgin Australia flight was also diverted to Noumea.
• One Fiji Airways service to Sydney was cancelled due to the disruption and the Sydney curfew.

Procedural Gaps and New Measures

CEO Mesake Nawari addressed why the fault went undetected for several hours. He explained that runway light checks were typically performed just before night operations. The routine night inspection did not identify the issue until 7:15 PM.

In response, Fiji Airports is implementing new procedures. The organization will introduce additional inspections. This includes earlier testing, especially during periods of bad weather. Nawari also committed to conducting tests immediately following major weather events. This will give technical teams more time to fix issues before operations are affected.

Regulatory Response and Future Directives

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka issued a strong warning to Fiji Airports. He stressed that Nadi International Airport is a key Pacific aviation hub. Gavoka directed the airport operator to take all necessary steps to avoid future disruptions. He confirmed his instruction for the airport to operate fully, around the clock. The incident underscores the critical importance of robust airport infrastructure gaps management. Reliable infrastructure is vital for maintaining Fiji’s reputation as a major international gateway. The government is investing in airport upgrades to handle increased air traffic. This includes new aerobridges and advanced systems by 2026.

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