The standard airport arrival is no more for luxury travellers. Following the likes of Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and COMO Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives, Kokomo Private Island in Fiji has opened the first private aviation hangar at Nadi International Airport.
Complete with a luxury transfer lounge, the new 2,266-square-metre private hangar offers guests a seamless and exclusive transfer from Fiji mainland to the island. The private hangar also offers housing for two Twin Otter seaplanes and two helicopters.
Designed to further enhance the luxurious travel experience, the FJ$5 million facility’s interiors replicate those of the island villas and include entertainment, seating, a playroom for families, refreshments and shower facilities (stocked with luxurious Pure Fiji spa products) for guests to refresh after long-haul flights. On departure, guests will again be able to enjoy the benefits of the luxury lounge while waiting for their connecting flight out of Fiji.
Laucala Island Resort also has its own private lounge at Nadi International Airport. The undisturbed 100-square-metre oasis is conveniently located close to the domestic terminal and international departure counters. As the first gateway to Laucala Island, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne and freshen up using the resort’s signature spa products. Laucala’s private plane will then take guests to the resort, just under an hour’s flight away. Those with their own private plane can arrange to land directly at Laucala’s airstrip.
Here are some other luxury Fiji resorts where guest can be whisked away by private jet, helicopter or seaplane to reach their tropical paradise destination.
Vatuvara
A hideaway resort known for hosting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Vatuvara is only accessible via the resort’s privately owned aircraft. Leaving from either Suva or Nadi International Airport, the plane journeys over the sapphire lagoon before arriving on an airstrip located on the island’s peak. The 1.5-hour flight only travels to and from the island during the day and is included in the all-inclusive rates.
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa can only be reached via its own private airstrip. The airport is only a quick 25-minute flight from Nadi International airport via Yasawa’s daily charter service, taking guests over the Viti Levu coastline, offering stunning aerial views of the Yasawa Island group on the way.
Nanuku Auberge Resort
Nanuku Auberge Resorts operates its own private airstrip offering guests an easy and quick alternative to car transfers. A scenic 20-minute flight from Nadi to Nanuku’s private strip, flights can be scheduled accordingly to guests preferred transfer time. Upon arrival at Nanuku, a personal chauffeur is available to transfer guests to the resorts, just a few minutes away.
VOMO Island Resort
VOMO operates its own helipad for a rock star arrival from Nadi International Airport. During the swift 15-minute helicopter ride, guests can catch glimpses of the Mamanuca Islands before landing in isolated paradise. This transfer operates during the day on a charter basis, based on a minimum of two people travelling, allowing guests to pick a transfer suited to their arrival time.
Dolphin Island
Dolphin Island Fiji offers guests the option of arriving via helicopter or seaplane transfer from Nadi International Airport. Only operating during daylight hours, the transfers are based at Nadi Airport, where passengers are assisted from the aeroplane to their designated transfer by AFL Public Officers, ensuring a quick and smooth transition through customs and immigration. The helicopter transfer is a 30- to 40-minute journey, while the seaplane takes approximately 40 minutes.
Learn more about Fiji and become a Matai Specialist through Tourism Fiji’s online training course. For all the details, go to matai.fiji.travel