As the international gateway to the Fiji islands, Nadi International Airport has been redeveloped through a major modernisation project that improves the traveler experience and enhances Fiji’s reputation as a major tourism destination.

Located on the west side of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, Nadi International Airport handles 97 per cent of Fiji’s annual international passenger arrivals and is the most strategic asset owned and operated by Airports Fiji Ltd, a fully Government owned Commercial Company. Historically Nadi Airport was made up of three buildings constructed at different times over the last 70 years.

The Nadi Airport Terminal Modernization Project (NATMP), worth $132 million, was undertaken to transform the Airport into a modern, upgraded, bigger and better terminal. Built by New Zealand firm Hawkins in partnership with Fiji’s largest building company Pacific Building Solutions, the NATMP involved upgrading every square inch of the Nadi International Airport terminal building. This included the extension and redesign of the arrivals and departures halls, and a redeveloped immigration arrivals area that provides natural light and views.

When you enter the Airport today you will be welcomed by a world class facility. The upgrades were undertaken to enhance the passenger experience by providing seamless processing in arrivals and departures. The airport now features additional facilities such as a non-denominational prayer room, enhanced retail, food and beverage offering and a children’s play area to complement the modern traveller’s needs.

The Nadi International Airport features an environmentally sustainable design (ESD) and is the first airport in the South Pacific to receive Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation by the Airports Council International. Many of the airport’s existing building services and HVAC systems have been replaced with a design by local building services engineering company Irwin Alsop Pacific.

Installed by Fiji’s largest mechanical services contractor, Mechanical Services Limited, the new HVAC system operates from 12 plant rooms and Fiji’s largest water-cooled chiller.

Operating since 1971, Mechanical Services Limited employs 250+ staff, including skilled technicians and HVAC engineers, from its head office in Suva and branches in Nadi and Labasa. The company provides mechanical services including refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation, sheet metal works, stainless steel works, plumbing, automation and controls across Fiji and the Pacific islands.

Fantech is pleased to have supplied a number of fans to Mechanical Services Limited for the NATMP. Paul Smith, Internal Sales Engineer at Fantech, said the majority of Fantech products supplied for this project were 710mm and 1000mm diameter New Generation Series roof mounted smoke spill fans. These are an integral part of the fire and life safety operation of the building. Other general fan products supplied included PowerLine Series, Ring Plate Series, Adjustable Pitch Axial Series and the Heritage Series.

Fantech also supplied a number of Danfoss Vacon Variable Speed Drives and attenuators on the project.

“The redevelopment of the Nadi International Airport has been an important project for the country, and we have been proud to be part of it,” said Mr Shiv Nand Sharma, Managing Director of Mechanical Services Limited.

“Fantech has worked closely with our Projects Team on fan and attenuators selections, to ensure the equipment met the needs of the project. Fantech’s sales support has been very valuable, and we are delighted with the outcome.”

The upgrades at Nadi International Airport came to a practical completion in April this year. The second phase has now started which is the theming of the terminal building.