Some Fiji Flights Resume Following Tropical Cyclone Winston

February 22, 2016By: Adam Leposa

Photo by Freeimages.com/Maarten des Wispelaere

At least 21 people were killed when Tropical Cyclone Winston made landfall as a Category 5 storm in Fiji on Saturday, Weather.com reports. More than 8,000 people are in shelters, and severe flooding and winds have left many areas without power, fresh water or communications. Additionally, damage to the Nabouwalu and Savusavu wharves has made transportation to and from the Northern Division difficult. The wharves will be shut down for a few months for repairs.

Hotel Updates

According to a statement released late Sunday by Tourism Fiji, all visitors are “safe and comfortable.”

“There are no reports of any significant structural damage to the majority of hotels in Viti Levu, except for some properties in the Rakiraki area,” said The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya. “Cyclone Winston has caused extensive damage to the communications infrastructure, hence, mobile and Internet communications in some parts of Fiji maybe affected. However, communication is active in Suva, Nadi, Denarau and along the Coral Coast.”

Tourism Fiji has also issued the following updates on hotel and attraction reopenings via Twitter and Facebook:

@TourismFiji we are relieved and very happy to advise that all the staff are safe and well.
Early indications-not sustained major damage.

— Dolphin Island Fiji (@DolphinFiji) February 22, 2016

Bedarra Beach Inn is operating as usual and had a beautiful, sunny day today ☀️ https://t.co/3MV2BIdWq3 #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Sunshine at @RadissonBlu today. Great to see guests enjoying themselves! #StrongerThanWinston I/G@hyperactiveferret pic.twitter.com/QrRKfOTiPL

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Matana Beach Resort was not affected by #TCWinston and its guests spent today snorkeling and kayaking! https://t.co/eNSQaEtmH4

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The @adrenalinfiji bures at the Wyndham and Marina will re-open for bookings tomorrow morning. #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The @LomaniIsland Resort is welcoming guests and operating as normal. Email [email protected] for booking information. #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Raffles Gateway Hotel is open and running as normal! Please email [email protected] for booking information. #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The @PlantationFiji Resort has not been damaged. Re-opening to guests on Tuesday. Please email [email protected] for booking info

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Sheraton Tokoriki still assessing extend of damage. Resort closed for next 2 weeks. Will share further updates as we have them. #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Crusoe's Retreat open with no damage. “Today is a sunny day + guests are enjoying themselves” https://t.co/yPFxmtLflH #StrongerThanWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Shangri-La remains open, with three operational restaurants, with remainder to reopen again this Wednesday 24th. Looking to welcome guests!

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Unfortunately @ManaIslandResor suffered some damage, so won't be open until further notice. Please contact [email protected] if questions.

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

*Update* Malolo Island Resort to reopen on Saturday 27th February. No damage to resort. Clean-up in progress #StrongerThanWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Naviti Resort open for business as normal & looking forward to welcoming new guests. [email protected] #StrongerThanWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Kula Eco Park OPEN as normal! This morning they spotted a golden dove foraging for berries. #StrongerThanWinston pic.twitter.com/4RXYmZxKs7

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Pleased to report @OutriggerFiji are operational as normal and welcoming guests! 🙂 #TCWinston #StrongerThanWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The team at @VolivoliBeach have reported some damage to their resort. Currently awaiting further updates. Email [email protected]

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Island Hoppers have reported no damage to facilities or aircrafts and are up and running as per usual #TCWinston @fijipackages

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Update from @CastawayFiji who sustained damage in #TCWinston Resort closed until further notice. More info to come shortly.

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Everyone at Nadi Bay Resort Hotel is safe, but they're currently without internet. https://t.co/N3xfPr7l6m #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Smugglers Cove Resort is safe and well. They even have sunshine

Latest update from @InterConFiji: resort has resumed operations and it's business as usual! https://t.co/UvQjJSBtVf #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Treasure Island Resort has suffered some minor damage and is experiencing power issues. Closed until further notice: https://t.co/6v0yH3XOGv

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Update from Tanoa Hotel Group: all hotels are still operational, except for Tanoa Rakiraki Hotel. https://t.co/6ThKAGtoZ3 #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The @LomaniIsland Resort has had no structural damage and will start welcoming guests at 2:00pm this afternoon. https://t.co/JUzyQmD6TX

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The @LomaniIsland Resort has had no structural damage and will start welcoming guests at 2:00pm this afternoon. https://t.co/JUzyQmD6TX

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Namotu Island Resort has commenced #TCWinston clean-up. Closed this week and will announce a decision next week as to when they will reopen.

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

The @SofitelFiji is fully operational and has suffered no damage. All guests and team members are safe. https://t.co/9080l33lGn #TCWinston

— Tourism Fiji (@TourismFiji) February 22, 2016

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu reported on its Facebook page Saturday that communication had temporarily been lost with the resort and Savusavu town. Travel Agent has reached out to the resort for the latest update on the situation.

Air Travel

As of Monday morning, some flights have resumed from Fiji, according to 9News.com. Virgin Australia has resumed all flights between Nadi International Airport and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Air New Zealand has added capacity to flights between Auckland and Nadi, and Fiji Airways is operating flights between Nadi and Auckland, as well as some flights between Nadi and Sydney. JetStar cancelled its flights Monday between Sydney and Nadi, expecting to resume operations on Tuesday.

Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for the latest updates to this developing story.