5 hours Ago By Repeka Nasiko
THE safety of travellers and airline crew is a non negotiable for Fiji Airports. Referring to a video of passengers stuck in an aircraft waiting to enter a gate at the Nadi International Airport yesterday afternoon, Fiji Airports CEO Mesake Nawari said the safety of travellers and airlines was their top priority in events such as weather-related delays. He said this after a weather warning of ‘imminent lightning’ lasted almost four hours resulting in airport operations being suspended.
“Weather-related delays can be frustrating but keeping a calm and patient mindset will help in navigating the situation more smoothly,” Mr Nawari said. “We should always remember that safety is our top priority and during such situations, airport and airline personnel are always working to get things back on track safely.” “The existence of electrical storms on and in the vicinity of the airport is a safety hazard to staff working on airside and therefore all airside personnel working outside such as ramp agents, baggage handlers, passenger agents, engineers and aircraft refuellers are usually called to shelter during Lightning and thunderstorms.
” According to Fiji Airports, weather warnings issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service is usually categorised into four categories. 1- “Lightning Likely” which is issued on confirmation that Thunderstorm is likely to pass within 20miles of the Airfield. All airport staff working in areas exposed to the elements are moved closer to buildings.
2- “Lightning Imminent” is issued on confirmation that Thunderstorm cell is 5 Miles of the Airport and that it may pass over the Airfield. In this case, all work conducted outside the airport shall cease immediately. 3- “Lightning Likely”, is when lightning warning is downgraded, and issued when no lightning has been detected in the last 20mins within 5 Miles radius of the Airport.
4- “Lightning warning now cancelled” is issued once Thunderstorm has cleared airport area, moved outside the 5 Miles radius of the Airfield. “Inclement weather warning is issued by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to all airlines and airport stakeholders immediately.” Mr Nawari explained all airside operations at the Nadi International Airport were suspended yesterday at around 2.
48pm due to inclement weather warning within the airport vicinity issued by the Fiji Met. “At 3.11pm Fiji Met upgraded to ‘imminent’, and that warning remained until 7.
04pm when the warning was downgraded to “Likely”. “During the time when Fiji Met issued the warning for thunderstorm and lightning are imminent at Nadi Airport, standard procedures typically focussed on safety and minimising risk to both Passengers and Airport personnel was followed.”.
