Airlines resume services as Fiji recovery gets underway
The Fijian Government has reported all visitors to the country as “safe and comfortable” in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston which smashed the Pacific island nation on Saturday night killing at least six people.
The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya stated that all properties have taken all necessary precautions and actions to ensure that their guests are safe and are taken good care of.
“Furthermore, there are no reports of any significant structural damage to the majority of hotels in Viti Levu, except for some properties in the Rakiraki area” he said.
“We understand that friends and families are very concerned, however, we request everyone to remain calm. Cyclone Winston has caused extensive damage to the communications infrastructure, hence, mobile and Internet communications in some parts of Fiji maybe affected. However, communication is active in Suva, Nadi, Denarau and along the Coral Coast.”
The minister confirmed that, as soon as flights resume, Fiji Airways will prioritise guests who want to go back home with flights expected to be back to normal by Monday.
Some airlines will resume flying in and out of Fiji after a tropical cyclone tore through the islands, leaving homes flattened and at least five people dead.
As the clean-up effort began after Cyclone Winston, the strongest cyclone on record to hit the Pacific islands, Virgin Australia, Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand said flights would resume on Monday.
Unrelenting rain and downed powerlines hampered relief efforts on Sunday as officials assess the damage.
Virgin updated its Monday flight details about 4.50pm on Sunday, giving relief to stranded tourists.
People whose flights were cancelled will be provided with updated flight details, Virgin said in a statement.
Fiji Airways advise passengers due to the destruction caused by the cyclone, some services out of Nadi on Monday may operate without its regular catering.
Air New Zealand cancelled flights in and out of Nadi on Sunday but said scheduled services would resume on Monday.
Jetstar’s flights between Sydney and Fiji remained cancelled for Monday.
A decision on Jetstar’s Tuesday flights will be made on Monday.
The devastating category-5 cyclone that swept over Fiji led the government impose a nationwide curfew.
Winston made landfall late on Saturday, delivering wind gusts of up to 325km/h.
Weatherwatch says the storm was the strongest on record to hit Fiji.
The cyclone tore through Fiji with winds gusting to 325km/h and waves up to 12m high, cutting communication across much of the country of almost 900,000.
Entire villages have reportedly been destroyed and one elderly man was killed on Koro Island, northeast of Suva, when a roof fell on him.
Grave fears remain for others in low-lying river areas and on outer islands.
Australian Red Cross worker Susan Slattery said persistent, heavy downpours were complicating early responses to the widespread damage.
“A lot of the communities affected are in low-lying areas and on islands so continued rain will add to the flooding risk,” she told AAP from Suva on Sunday.
“It affects our access into those places that are the hardest hit, including smaller islands that are a long way away.”
Mobile phone signals and landline services had also been hit, making it difficult for communication and co-ordination among agencies.
UNICEF Pacific aid worker Alice Clements said Suva was spared the full force of the cyclone’s wind blasts, with the storm changing direction at the last minute when it made landfall late on Saturday.
The howling winds and driving rains that lashed the Fijian capital paled in comparison to what those in the eye of the storm experienced, she told AAP on Sunday.
“We’ve seen photos of houses that have been completely flattened – there is literally nothing standing,” she said.
“These are people who were incredibly vulnerable to start with and now they’ve had potentially everything taken away from them.”
Schools will be closed for at least a week amid concerns of flash flooding and mudslides.
Australia and New Zealand offered military aircraft to assist with aerial damage surveillance of the outer islands in the first wave of aid.
About 1300 Australians were registered with DFAT as being in Fiji but that figure was likely to be far higher, given up to 350,000 visit Fiji every year, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Sunday.
Image credit: iStock
Latest News
Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]
Government urges Aussies to ‘reconsider’ plans to visit Noumea as New Caledonia death toll hits five
The government has updated its advice for Aussies who may be considering New Caledonia during this time.
Situation ‘dire’ for Air Vanuatu as rival carriers look to swoop on flailing airline
Like a bird with no wings, Air Vanuatu is grounded as its only Boeing 737 heads to Melbourne after being repossessed.
Vivid Sydney will light up the Harbour City’s food scene
Local and international culinary stars will descend on Sydney for Vivid Food. Post-event hangovers a given...
Experience Co appoints Matthew Vince as the new interim head of marketing
We are still trying to confirm whether it is Matthew himself in the lead image, will report back.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Palm – Luxury for the whole family
Of course ever parent knows the real luxury experiences come when you find a way to leave the kids somewhere.
Bridgerton is back! Live the REAL Colin & Penelope experience
The real Penelope experience would be falling in love with someone who doesn't love you back but that's hard to market.
Sailing the Sun: Six nights aboard Princess’ first Sphere Class ship
Cruising has always been extravagant and the Sun is no different, apart from riff raff like us being let on board.
Australian tourists are big spenders globally on experiences and nightlife, Mastercard report finds
Aussies do their bit for the global economy by propping up bars across the world. It's a proud day for us all.
Sydney confirms position as Australia’s No. 1 business events host
Surprise surprise... Sydney Harbour and the Opera House come up trumps. Can you tell we live here?
Luke Mangan launches Bistrot Bisou, in Hotel Indigo, his first Melbourne restaurant in over a decade
The news means we're due a trip to Melbourne, but we'll wait for winter to past first!
Surf magazine Tracks hunt for grommets to launch Airb’n’b-style platform for surfers
Three young surfers on an all expenses paid surf trip on the Aussie coast.... What could go wrong?
Luxury cruise ship Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has appointed a new team of industry experts
Paspaley Pearl by Ponant will offer a gem of a cruise, as the new team shows by their pearly whites.
Memphis Tourism brings blues to Sydney as it adds Jack Daniels to sponsor roster
Memphis Tourism would win the award for coolest sponsor if there was one. But there isn't.
Jetstar and Qantas perception ratings soar following Bonza’s implosion
Forget what your mum told you, you can make yourself look better by making others look bad.
Train over Plane – Journey Beyond releases The Overland’s 2025 season
Clickety-clack, more than a century on track. Unlike the Overland, our poetry is not in demand.
AmaWaterways launches Australian operations at Sydney office with panoramic Harbour views
You should click on this article for the content but it's also okay if you just want to see someone cut a ribbon.
Travel insurance expert’s top 3 tips for Aussies stranded in New Caledonia amid riots
Despite appearances, being stranded in a luxury resort isn't all milk and honey.
Perfect Somewheres: Hotels.com celebrates best-in-class venues for guest experiences
Surprisingly, no hotels with bed bugs were represented in the top 1% of top hotels.
Airports boss says $1.7 billion Budget innovation fund will “kickstart” domestic manufacture of sustainable aviation fuel
Time to start saving up your waste - Australia is about to become a hub of biofuel innovation!
Apparent launches ‘All heart, no hassle’ campaign for Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller
Despite appearances, even the most severe-looking businessperson wants heart in their travel.
Indaba 2024: Losing out on memory, South Africa Tourism hands its fate to children
South Africa Tourism's chief marketing officer reminds us all we were once joyful children and not grumpy adults.
ACA & CLIA join forces ahead of Australian Tourism Exchange
Watch your back Kyle and Jackie 'O' - a new power couple is in town.
South Africa eyes affordable tourism to grow market
In an unlikely move, South African Tourism is actually encouraging young people to travel MORE.
ATIA applauds government’s fast-track passport announcement
Excellent news if you've ever experienced the sheer horror of realising you don't have a functioning passport.
DayAway names Aussie partners for luxury community based membership
Tired of dining with the riff raff? Get yourself a DayAway membership and slip into a life of luxury.
Silversea expands Nova Class with Silver Ray
Be prepared - this article has more silver than your local jewellers!
Tourism Tasmania CEO says a trip to Tassie could cure your Aurora Australis FOMO
With images like these - you're bound to regret being asleep during Australia's version of the northern lights.
Flight searches to Ho Chi Minh City skyrocket by 246% as city strengthens ties to Oz
We aren't endorsing ditching your work to look at flights to Ho Chi Minh but we're also not not endorsing it.
On Location: Rejoice! It’s Your Daily Wrap Of Africa’s Travel Indaba
Spare a moment to think about the cleaner who had to pick up all the confetti after this one kicked off.
Lack of budget spend will hit international visitor recovery, says Australian Tourism Industry Council
We've done the monotonous trawl through budget reports so you don't have to. You can thank us later!
On Location: Expedia CEO assures AI will not replace human roles, announces AI text assistant
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless its announced at a big conference, then it'll probably be reported.
VietJet walks away from Bonza investment, administrators look to maximise chance of survival
VietJet's making big plays in Australia but is drawing the line at buying a defunct airline.
Top four airports return to profit after post-Covid period comes to an end
If you feel like we just haven't spent enough of our lives talking about Covid, then boy is this the article for you!
COMO launches new family-sized farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany
COMO Hotels and Resorts has launched its new farmhouse apartments in the heart of Tuscany, just in time for Australians to escape our wet winter. And it’s also an ideal time for Aussies of Italian ancestry to explore their home country as 2024 has been declared the year of Roots and Heritage Tourism by the […]
Green light, green fuel for Townsville Airport as passenger numbers set to double to 3.7m
All things sounding positive for Townsville, apart from the fact its football team is playing like 10 year olds.