Suva and Lautoka on Viti Levu are the main commercial ports for handling bulk and container freight for import and export. All customs, immigration and quarantine facilities are provided at these ports. The Suva Port provides pilotage, safe anchorage, deep berths (capable of handling vessels of over 40,000 tons), stevedoring, general cargo handling, cargo/container storage including freezer and cooler, loose cargo warehousing, fumigation, incineration and weighbridge facilities. 

Lautoka is the second-largest port of entry and is in the northwest of the main island and handles the bulk of Fiji’s sugar and timber exports. This port is the base for local cruise vessels servicing offshore holiday resorts. Other port facilities include a few privately owned terminals for the handling of petroleum, gas, bulk sugar, molasses and wood chips. There is also a fishing port that services the requirements of local fishermen. 

Deep-water anchorages at Levuka, Malau, Wairiki and Vuda Point (part of Lautoka) undertake commercial export activities only of wood chips and fish and do not operate as international import points. Savusavu, Levuka and Rotuma are smaller Ro-Ro ports. The minor ports provide only basic services for inter-island traffic and are often weather and tide constrained. There are numerous shipping companies servicing Fiji’s ports on a frequent basis from one to three times a month. Direct sea-freight connections are available to most Pacific Islands ports, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the west coast of the United States. Fiji being the “hub of the Pacific” is also a strategic transhipment hub for cargoes traded between the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). In international shipping services, the bulk of general cargo imports and exports are carried in containers along the major shipping routes connecting PICs and the rest of the world. 

The Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL), a government-owned corporation operating semi-autonomously under the Ministry of Transport and Tourism, is responsible for the administration of the “major” ports — declared as Suva, Lautoka, Labasa/Malau, and Levuka. Other ports remain under the Ministry’s control, with Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) continuing to provide navigational and safety overview. 

Operations and maintenance at the ports owned by FPCL are handled by Ports Terminals Limited (PTL). PTL also carries out stevedoring at all major ports. Previously a 100% government-owned operation, PTL is now a 100% subsidiary of FPCL and is managed and operated by FPCL. 

Overview 

Key airport information may also be found at: http://worldaerodata.com/ 

Fiji is the main air hub in the Pacific specifically Nadi International Airport servicing international and domestic routes. There are two registered airlines - Fiji Airways and Northern Air, the latter operating domestically. There are 32 airports and airstrips - 4 paved, 28 unpaved (CIA World Fact Book). 

Fiji Airports Limited (FAL) is a fully owned government commercial company established on 12 April 1999 under the Public Enterprise Act 1996. It operates 15 airports in Fiji including Nadi and Nausori International Airports. The 13 other airports under FAL are domestic airports and are located on islandswithin Fiji's maritime zone. These are Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, Rotuma, Koro, Gau, Bureta, Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Ono-i-Lau, Cicia, Moala and Kadavu. 

FAL also provides Air Traffic Management (ATM) services within the Nadi Flight Information Region (Nadi FIR) which includes the sovereign air spaces of Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kiribati and Vanuatu. FAL owns and manages Nadi International Airport. Nadi International Airport handles 97% of international visitors to Fiji, 80% of which are tourists. FAL employs 500 personnel across its 15 airports that have a total asset base of $441 million.  The depth of its workforce ranges from operational and technical to commercial and administration. 

Fiji Air Terminal Services is a part government-owned ground handling company providing ground handling cargo and catering services at Nadi International Airport. There is a private company arranging helicopter transport - Island Hoppers. Island Hoppers offers transfers from Nadi Airport or Denarau. Fleet can be chartered for specific requests.  

The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) is the Government’s focal point to international civil aviation bodies like the Montreal-based "ICAO General Assembly", the link to both the ICAO Montreal-based HQ as well as its Bangkok-based "Asia and Pacific Regional Office", the Vanuatu-based ‘Pacific Islands Aviation Safety Office", the Forum Secretariat-sponsored "Pacific Islands Air Services Agreements", the "Regional Steering Committee Meeting for the Cooperative Aviation Programme for Asia and the Pacific", "The Asia/Pacific Directors General of Civil Aviation Conference" and the "Association of South Pacific Airlines." 

The Fiji Department of Civil Aviation is responsible for the establishment of Air Services Agreements with sovereignties wishing to generate trade, tourism links and diplomatic relations within Fiji through the provisions of air transportation. 

For more information on government agency and airport company contact information, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List. 

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft 

The Department of Civil Aviation is responsible for the facilitation of requests for non-scheduled international air operators who wish to make a landing or overflight within Fiji’s Flight Information Region. It is also responsible for facilitating the issue of air service licenses to international operators wishing to provide scheduled air services into and out of Fiji in accordance with the Air Services Agreement. 

International Air Service Licences 

Application for International Air Service Licences 

Application for an international air service license is valid for those countries that are party to an Air Service Agreement with Fiji. The Minister of Civil Aviation is the licensing authority for international operators wishing to be issued a license to conduct scheduled services into Fiji. Such applications for a license shall contain copies of the airline’s valid insurance certificate together with its Air Operators Certificate. The two certificates are crucial and are considered when operators submit such an application for international air service. 

Application for a Permit to Conduct Air Services within Fiji with a Foreign Registered Aircraft 

The Minister of Civil Aviation is the issuing authority for such permits. Applications for a permit shall contain the aircraft’s Air Operators Certificate and Certificate of Insurance. Applications should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. 

Domestic Air Service 

The Air Transport Licensing Board (ATLB) is the licensing authority in relation to air services operating within Fiji for hire and reward. Applications for licenses to conduct domestic air services shall be made in the form and manner and contain such particulars as required under the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations Cap,174. A formal letter of application to the ATLB, as per the First Schedule in the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations Cap 174 addressed accordingly to the Chairman of the Air Transport Licensing Board. 

Non-scheduled flights 

Details to be included in the application for non-scheduled non-commercial/commercial civil aircraft over-flights/landing in Fiji. According to the Aeronautical Information Publication of Fiji, the following information should be provided with applications for unscheduled Civil Aircraft Flight Over flight/Landing in Fiji. 

Unscheduled Non-Commercial Flights 

• Aircraft type and registration 

• Pilot’s name 

• Purpose of flight 

• Origin, destination, and stops in Fiji 

• Time and date of arrival and departure 

• Numbers and details of passengers on board 

• Aircraft take-off weight and tire pressure 

• Survival equipment carried 

Unscheduled Commercial Flights 

• Aircraft type and registration 

• Operator’s name and address 

• Charterer’s name and address 

• Name of the agent in Fiji 

• Purpose of flight(s) 

• Details of traffic to be set down and picked up in Fiji. 

• Proposed fares for passengers originating in Fiji. 

• Time(s) and date(s) and proposed flight(s). 

• Aircraft take-off weight and tire pressure. 

• Details of third-party insurance cover for the flight over or within Fiji. 

• Number of passengers on board. 

Fees 

For CAAF fees follow this link: https://caaf.org.fj/fees-charges 

International Operators 

• Tariff Filings by International Airline Operators. 

• A formal letter of request. 

• All requests for an amendment to the existing tariffs shall be submitted at least 30 days prior to its proposed effective dates. 

• Consultation with stakeholders in the aviation industry. 

• Terms and Conditions of the Tariff. 

• Routes applied for. 

License for International Air Operators 

• A formal letter of application to the Minister and at least 30 days before the expiry of existing licence. 

• A valid Insurance Certificate. 

• A valid Air Operators Certificate. 

• Consultation with CAAFI on technical regulatory issues. 

Permit for Foreign Registered Aircraft to Operate in Fiji 

Requirements 

• Formal letter of application to the Minister. 

• A valid Insurance Certificate. 

• A valid Air Operators Certificate. 

• CAAFI consulted on technical regulatory issues. 

Quarantined Flights 

All international flights from malarial designated ports to land at Nadi International Airport are quarantined. International flights from malarial designated ports wishing to land at Fiji international airports other than Nadi will need to first obtain clearance from the Ministry of Health. This clearance will be facilitated by the Department of Civil Aviation. All crew and passengers are required to obtain health clearance before disembarking. 

Air Transport Licensing Board (ATLB) 

The Air Transport Licensing Board (“the Board”) is the licensing authority and regulator of domestic air services in Fiji. The functions of the Board are constituted in the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations 1985. All applications for licences to perform air services within Fiji for hire or reward are to be made to the Air Transport Licensing Board. 

The Chairman and members of the Board are appointed by the Minister responsible for Civil Aviation in accordance with Regulation 18(2) of Section 6 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations 1985. 

Role of the Air Transport Licensing Board 

Grant of Licences 

The licensing authority may grant to any person applying a licence to perform air services between two places within Fiji for such period and under the conditions as may be specified in the licence. The licensing authority may attach such conditions to any licence as it may think fit and may, from time to time, vary any such conditions. 

Inquiry 

The licensing authority may, if it thinks fit, for the purpose of determining applications for licenses or for amendments thereof hold inquiries in public or in private. Before holding any such inquiry, the licensing authority shall give to the applicant, and to any person who has made any representations or objections with regard to the application. 

Provisional licence 

The licensing authority may, if it thinks fit, pending the determination of an application for a licence or for an amendment of a licence, grant to the applicant a provisional licence or make a provisional amendment to a licence, which shall remain in force until the application is determined. 

Annual Report of Licensing Board 

The Licensing Board shall make an annual report to the Minister on the exercise of its functions during the year. 

Power to revoke or suspend 

The licensing authority may revoke or suspend a licence if: 

• The holder of the licence has, since the licence was granted, been convicted of an offence against Regulation 4 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations which states –subject to the provisions of these regulations, it shall not be lawful for any person to use any aircraft for the carriage in Fiji of passengers, mail or freight for hire or reward upon any journey between two places except under, and in accordance with the provisions of a licence granted by the licensing authority; or 

• The holder of the licence has failed to comply with any conditions subject to which the licence was granted. 

For more information on procedures for foreign registered aircraft, please see the following attachments: https://caaf.org.fj/forms 

Image

Overview 

Transport plays a critical role in Fiji’s economy contributing around 10-12% of GDP. It also employs a considerable amount of people in both formal and informal sectors with the latter most vibrant in the land transport industry. It also links key social and economic sectors of the economy including resources-based industries, education and health. 

Because Fiji is prone to disruptive natural events such as tropical cyclones and resultant flooding, its topography has restricted the 7,500-kilometer road network to spine or circumferential main roads with feeder roads, leaving few route alternatives. The Fiji Roads Authority has established a dashboard which shows the status of roads during heavy rain events and cyclones. In the main urban areas, lower-level municipal roads are neglected, rough, and sometimes impassable. Inter-island freight and passenger transport relies on serviceable coastal and island jetties, adequate navigation aids, and reliable and safe domestic shipping services. Smaller jetties have been fairly neglected for many years and are in poor condition. 

Fiji’s government has undergone a massive road infrastructure improvement program and reformation of the government road transport management authorities and departments.  Prior to reform in January 2012, there were 15 bodies responsible for Fiji’s roads. It was then that the Department of National Roads (DNR) was dissolved, and the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) was established. 

The Land Transport Authority of Fiji is responsible for vehicle and driver licensing and registration while the FRA is responsible for the road infrastructure. Fiji’s road infrastructure is naturally most prevalent on the larger islands. Fiji has 7,000 km of roads and over 1,200 bridges and jetties which also fall under its responsibility. 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.1 Government Contact List 

Inland Transport Overview 

Fiji Islands is one of the few PICs with a land transport system of any scale. Traffic between cities comprises trucks for freight, buses, minibuses, route taxis, and private vehicles. The most heavily trafficked route is the corridor linking the two main ports, Suva and Lautoka. Haulage of containers between the ports and transport of sugarcane are important contributors to traffic problems. Traffic levels outside of Suva and Lautoka are at most times moderately low, but density increases dramatically near the cities of Lautoka and Suva. Traffic near the ports, general road conditions, and heavy vehicle mass limit laws are the main problems facing inland transport of containers. A large proportion of trucks, particularly those hauling containers, are in contravention of mass limit laws. 

The King’s Wharf is located near the center of Suva’s central business district, and a large market and bus terminal is adjacent to the port facility. Traffic congestion in and around the King’s Wharf is, thus, surprisingly severe for an urban center the size of Suva. Trucks carrying containers to and from the King’s Wharf must pass through the center of Suva at a very slow pace. At Lautoka Port, the major landside constraint is very slow-moving trucks carrying sugarcane to a sugar plant opposite the main wharf. 

General Road Conditions 

Increasing peak loadings are occurring from the land bridging of containers between Suva and Lautoka ports. Some ship operators find it more economical to make a single call, usually at Suva, and land bridge Lautoka cargo under bond. This entails both exports and imports, and as many as 200 containers may be involved in any one ship call. Customer preferences on delivery time and limits on free storage time in the ports drive operators to move all the containers in a short period, thus increasing the load carried by road and causing peak loadings. 

The most heavily trafficked route is the Suva/Nadi/Lautoka corridor, which is predominantly two-lane bitumen pavement with small four lane divided sections close to the cities. Road surfaces are generally good but showing wear from what appears to be an increasing heavy vehicle load, particularly at the two terminal nodes. Planned maintenance is on-going. Open road limits (80kph) are enforced with visible police presence near village police posts.  A speed camera system throughout the main roads has also been installed to further improve driving standards and road safety. Within villages, speed humps further reduce average speed and increase transit times. 

Heavy Vehicle Mass Limits and Bridge Load Limits 

Current heavy vehicle mass limits cause problems for road transport operators. The Land Transport Act 1998 stipulates the maximum load limit for various heavy vehicles. Most trucks in Fiji carrying containers are ten-wheelers; the mass limit for these trucks under the Act is 32 tonne gross mass. This is insufficient to allow a typical ten-wheel truck to carry a container fully loaded with a dense cargo, such as water. Historically, enforcement of truckload limits has been lax, but this is changing. With improved enforcement, shippers will face the choice of either partly loading containers—which is clearly inefficient—or using larger trucks. However, a significant amount of investment would be needed to upgrade Fiji’s stock of ten-wheeler trucks to prime-movers and semi-trailers. Overweight vehicles are causing major damage to bridge infrastructure. Lack of maintenance has also caused major bridge damage leading to closed lanes in high traffic areas while repairs are undertaken. 

Distance Matrix 

Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km) (Kings Road) 

Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km) (Queens Road)