Runway lighting issue at Nadi International Airport resolved

On the 10 January 2026, Nadi International Airport experienced a temporary disruption to the runway edge lights for both runways due to heavy thunderstorms and intense lightning activity across the Nadi area.

The lightning strike is believed to have occurred between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. The issue was later identified during a routine start of night inspection at approximately 7:15 pm. Fiji Airports’ technical response team acted swiftly, and full functionality of the runway lighting system was restored by 8:30 pm.

As a precautionary safety measure, a number of inbound flights had to be diverted in line with international aviation safety standards. These included four Fiji Airways services:
 

• FJ 950 and FJ 960 and FJ274, which diverted to Nausori International Airport
• FJ 910, which diverted to Faleolo International Airport in Samoa

Additionally, two departing flights had also faced disruptions as follows:

• FJ 413 (initially scheduled to depart at 2000hrs but departed at 20.45
• FJ 915 got cancelled due to the curfew in Sydney.

We understand the disruption may have caused anxiety and inconvenience for passengers and their families, and for that, Fiji Airports sincerely apologise. Your safety and that of our airline partners and their crews remains our absolute priority.

We thank passengers, airlines, and our airport community for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during these unforeseen weather-related disruptions.