Emergency repairs of Henderson runway starts tomorrow (Thursday)

Emergency repairs of the runway start tomorrow (Thursday) until 7^th August following cancellation of Fiji Airways to Honiara due to problems on the runway.

Speaking to SBMONLINE tonight, Permanent Secretary of Communication and Aviation: “The roughness of surface has caused loss of rubber on aircraft tyres so the reason Air Fiji assessment caused them suspend flights.”

Virivolomo said: “We have agreement by World Bank to carry out emergency repairs to runway before proper resurfacing starts end of the year. Work to start 4 Aug 2022 and complete 6/7 Aug 2022.”

Fiji Airways has made an urgent travel advisory to temporary suspend flights to Honiara due to run-way condition of Henderson.

In the advice issued to its travelers, Fiji Airways said: “Fiji Airways wishes to inform guests travelling to Honiara Airport, that all Fiji flights for the month of August 2022 have been temporary suspended following inspection, assessment and confirmation of inadequate runway conditions.”

It states that

FJ269 Nadi to Honiara– cancelled

FJ268 Honiara to Nadi—cancelled.

Virivolomo said the runway landing areas is the place aircrafts land on approach on both sides of the airport. The rest of the airport is aging but surface is smoother.

Long-term plan

On long term, Virvolomo said MCA has tendered under World Bank project to do overlay of full length of runway with work to start later in the year.