Nadi Makambo

Closed

Expense and Discomfort For Airlines' Passengers in Fiji

Suva, Aug. 2.

ACCORDING to reports received in Sydney from Fiji, a lively four-cornered war is being fought there over the facilities —or lack of them —provided at the Nadi International Airport, in North-west Viti Levu.

All the important airlines—and especially those carrying passengers between Australia, New Zealand and North America —use the Nadi air port, for the maintenance of which New Zealand is responsible. It is a good air-strip; but, so far as passenger amenities are concerned, it has been only faq.

Ever since Nadi came into use internationally, passengers have been catered for at the Makambo.

Makambo, originally, was a huge high hall, of more or less native construction. Under the one roof there was a dining room, a lounge, a bar, and extensive store-rooms and kitchens.

Passengers from waiting planes could rest there, comfortably enough.

The majority were not asked to re main overnight.

As time passed, Nadi became an overnight stop on some airlines.

Accommodation had to be found.

This was done by building near the Makambo a number of little wooden hutments, enclosing a bed, a dressing-table, a shower, and the lot screened in. It was not first class, but it sufficed.

Then it was decided to put the international airport at Suva, and no further improvements were made at Nadi. By the time the Suva decision was reversed, and attention re-concentrated on Nadi, the amenities had deteriorated. Trans pacific travellers, in any event, did not think much of Nadi, a feature less spot in the middle of a large, almost barren plain.

THE latest development seems to be the worst yet. Nadi airport is actually under the control of the South Pacific Air Commission, of which both New Zealand and Fiji are members; but New Zealand is the managing member.

The major air companies, quite properly have been criticising the amenities at the airport. New Zealand has retaliated by closing down the Makambo, and thus com pelling all stop-over passengers and air-crews at Nadi to seek refresh ment and accommodation at Nadi (an Indian village, two miles away) or at Lautoka (the sugar town, 16 miles away).

There is a modern hotel at Nadi,

and a good, well-managed hotel at Lautoka, both owned by the Ragg organisation, Northern Hotels, Ltd.

The service is quite acceptable when they get there; but both passengers and airways managers complain strongly of the inconvenience and expense of getting there —especially when only a short stay is scheduled.

The New Zealand Government now is in negotiation with the air ways companies, and trying to arrange for passenger amenities in a modem airport building, for which they shall be jointly responsible.

Other interests are opposing the plan for providing tourist and hotel facilities at the airport, and it is thought this is being done for the sake of Northern Hotels, Ltd.; and it is being resented accordingly.

Meanwhile, considerable activity is being shown at the airport in building residences for staff and air lines personnel. It is intended shortly to delimit the airport by a considerable area which at present is not used and is not required.

The interest which is getting the worst deal in this battle—except, of course, the unfortunate passengers! —is the Government of Fiji. If there is one thing that Fiji wants more than another, it is tourist traffic. One way to attract tourists is to give the through air-travellers

a pleasant glimpse and favourable impression of Fiji, in amenities, service and hospitality at Nadi air port. The Fiji Government has been trying to do this, by stationing an

active tourist official at Nadi, to assist the travellers.

All this has now been defeated by the sour New Zealand management, and the uncooperative arguments between the other interests con cerned, which have culminated in inconvenience and discomfort for the weary airline passengers.

Old two and one franc coins are being withdrawn from circulation in Noumea following the arrival of the new aluminium coins of the same denomination.