A Fiji Airways flight, carrying numerous passengers from Sydney, had to change course due to inclement weather caused by a tropical cyclone, which hindered three attempts to land at Nadi, a key tourist destination in Fiji.
Travelers rerouted to Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, reported instances of motion sickness among passengers, with some experiencing significant discomfort during the landing attempts in Fiji.
On Tuesday, Fiji Airways announced that the flight from Sydney to Nadi was redirected to Tonga for safety reasons, as Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu was affecting the area.
A passenger on a family vacation described the situation as “hairy,” expressing relief that the pilots opted to divert after the third unsuccessful landing attempt. She noted, “There were a few yelps, and some passengers were feeling unwell, which was not ideal. The wind shear was quite severe, so I’m grateful for the decision to move on.”
Another traveler, who was with his wife and three children, labeled the experience as “pretty dramatic.” He mentioned, “There were people being sick in the aisles. Luckily, my kids handled it well; they were either half asleep or occupied themselves.”
Jason Strickland, the general manager of Tanoa International Dateline Hotel in Nuku’alofa, reported accommodating approximately 80 passengers from the diverted flight. He remarked, “They thought their holiday was about to begin three times, and then they ended up in Tonga. It’s been challenging, but we’re well-prepared, and everyone has food and a few local beers to ease their nerves.”
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu has caused heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and strong winds across Fiji. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website has issued warnings about potential delays or cancellations of flights and disruptions to essential services.
The Fiji Meteorological Service stated on Tuesday evening that a heavy rain warning was still in effect for the country, with the cyclone located approximately 255 kilometers west-southwest of Nadi.
Fiji Airways emphasized that the decision to divert the flight was in accordance with its safety protocols. “Safety remains our top priority in all operations, especially during severe weather conditions,” the airline noted in a statement on its website.
According to Fiji Airways, the flight will resume its journey to Nadi once weather conditions improve. The airline also apologized for the inconvenience and expressed gratitude for the understanding and patience of its passengers.
Fiji Airports reported that six international flights, including those from Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia, along with all Fiji Link domestic flights, were canceled due to the adverse weather conditions resulting from Tropical Cyclone Vaianu.
