Vatukoula Airport

The closure was for economic reasons, directly resulting from the temporary cessation of operations at the Vatukoula Gold Mine. The airstrip was a private facility owned and operated to serve the mine. When the mine closed in 2006 due to financial difficulties, the airstrip no longer had a purpose and was not economically viable to maintain. Even after the mine reopened under new ownership in 2007, improved road infrastructure to Nadi International Airport (a ~2-hour drive) made the private airstrip redundant.

The airport is closed and non-operational for aviation. The runway is still visible but is in a state of disrepair, with a degraded surface and vegetation growth. The site is now primarily used for non-aviation purposes, most notably as a venue for local community and sporting events, including drag racing competitions hosted by organizations like the Fiji Car Club.

Vatukoula Airport was a private airstrip of significant historical importance to Fiji's economy. Established to serve the Vatukoula Gold Mine, one of the country's largest and longest-running industrial operations, it was a vital transportation link for decades. It handled the transport of mine executives, specialized personnel, urgent equipment, and was used for medical evacuations. The mine's original operator, Emperor Gold Mining Company, used the airstrip for its corporate aircraft (including types like the de Havilland Drover). It was an essential piece of infrastructure for the remote, self-contained mining town, connecting it to major hubs like Nadi and Suva long before modern road networks were fully developed.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Vatukoula Airport for aviation services. The significant cost of runway and facility restoration to meet modern safety standards, combined with the relatively efficient road connection to Nadi International Airport (NAN), makes its reopening economically unfeasible for the current mine operators. The business case for a private airstrip is considered weak in the current logistical context.