The ground breaking ceremony for construction of the new sealed runway in Rotuma took place yesterday.
Airports Fiji Ltd Executive Chairman Faiz Khan says this is a historical day for the people of Rotuma and Fiji.
Faiz Khan adds that once completed the project will transform the Rotuman economy bringing with it developments and economic activities.
He says larger aircraft such as ATRs cannot operate out of Rotuma at present, but will be able to do so in future after the upgrades.
After the upgrades ATR 72s will take around 70 passengers with greater certainty on flight times and frequency.
One can only envision the transformation this will have for Rotuma.
The Rotuma runway project has already boosted the islands economy with 22 locals being engaged to work for China Railway 5th Engineering Group Co. Ltd with recruitment expected to further increase as construction commences.
The total project cost is estimated at $13 million with completion programmed for March 2018.
The Government has given a grant of $2.3 million and the rest has been paid by AFL as its contribution as a Government owned entity.
