Departing Fiji is a bittersweet moment. Well, it’s far more bitter than sweet, but I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy (like most of the folk in Fiji). Fortunately, the experience of leaving a country “where happiness comes naturally” (Fiji’s tourism tagline) is made more palatable by its main gateway, Nadi International Airport, MARK HARADA discovers.
If you’re flying Fiji Airways, which I’m doing, you can check in for your flight at many of the hotels in nearby Denarau Island, where I’ve stayed. It’s a great and relatively unique concept that enables passengers to check in to their Nadi flight while checking out of their accommodation.
At a separate desk in the hotel lobby, I’m issued a boarding pass and told I’d be reunited with my luggage at my destination (in Sydney). Easy as.
That also lets me whisk through the modern, clean, and cavernous departures hall at Nadi Airport. Although as I’m passing through, I can’t help but notice how quiet it is. So there are no lines at any check-in counters or self-service check-in machines.
As they are across the tourism/hospitality sector generally in Fiji, staff at the airport are warm and welcoming.
“Do you have any water or liquor?” an employee asks just before I enter airside.
“Have a safe flight and God bless.”
And forget island time at Nadi; this airport runs efficiently and professionally like any other major hub.
It only takes me about 6 minutes to navigate passport control and security – and this, in spite of a flyer who holds up the line as she insists the x-ray machine has somehow swallowed her Australian passport (before finding it on her person).
What to do?
At the top of an escalator are two spacious stores: Prouds Duty and Tax-Free and Tappoo Duty-Free. Both are also located in arrivals at the Nadi hub. But these particular outlets are well-stocked and well-staffed.
Within Prouds, I encounter the usual duty-free items – like liquor, cosmetics and luxury watches – and a good selection of Fijian souvenirs ranging from kids’ toys and knick-knacks to local edibles and even Fijian hot sauces (while a little on the pricy side – around AU$14 for a 148ml bottle – I like the ‘Fiji Fire’ native bongo chilli sauce).
After a relatively quick search, I’m happy to find some souvenirs for my family (locally made and inexpensive jewellery). Further along, there are more retailers like Nike, Rip Curl and WHSmith.
What to eat?
There are two well-patronised eateries in the departure gates area, Bula Bar Bistro/Gloria Jeans and Burger King, with ample and available seating.
Incidentally, there’s another Burger King outlet on the public side of the airport, along with the KokoNui Bar, Cafe & Restaurant.
The dining area shares the same large space as the general boarding zone, which is busy with travellers no doubt taking advantage of the free and fast wifi, but has plenty of available seats.
A downward escalator to one side of the hall will take you to the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge and Air New Zealand Lounge.
Nadi International Airport won’t blow your socks off – this is, after all, a small gateway in the South Pacific and not Singapore. But it will bookend your stay in Fiji with a seamless and satisfying experience. And isn’t that what we want most from airports? Now, if only I were arriving in Fiji again…