Nadi Airport (NAN/NFFN) is the biggest airport in Fiji located just north (2 kilometers) of the city of Nadi itsself. Nadi is located at the western coast of the main island of Fiji called Viti Levu. The airport was opened in 1942 and nowadays handles 2,5 million passenger a year (2019). Besides Fiji Airways, a lot of interesting and exotic carriers like Air Niugini, Nauru Airlines or Solomon Airlines can be seen.

Written by Clindon J Down Photography and Jon Marzo. Last Update: 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	3275 x 45m
09/27	2135 x 45m
Terminals
Domestic Terminal	Located in the south handling all domestic flights
International Terminal	Located in the northwest handling all intl. flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed here, so luckily you do not need to bring a ladder to your vacation in Fiji.
Car/Public Transport	Most spots are located in walking distance from the terminal, but otherwise you can also easily take a taxi to get around the airfield.
Drinks/Food	In the terminal you can find some facilities as well as here and there around the airfield.
Hotels	There is no specific spotter hotel here, but there are some lodges/resorts around spot 4 for example.
Season	There is not specific season with much more/less traffic here, but the weather is better and sunnier in the months May till October.
Security	Spotting is absolutely no issue here at Nadi, just be prepared to be looked at strangely as spotters are fairly not that common here!
Runway Usage
General Info	09/27 is used by small domestic prop aircraft, 02/20 is used by the long-haul aircraft.

	Spot #1 – Domestic Terminal – Ramp
WHERE	This spot is located outside, just next to the Domestic terminal. If coming by car, you can park at the airport’s carpark and then make your way there and then head for the fence front just east of the Domestic terminal.
WHAT	From here you can spot aircraft movements in front of the domestic terminal: for example the Twin Otter base or Fiji Link and a few ATRs as well. In the back you can also see 09/27 movements.
TIME	From later morning till mid-afternoon roughly.
MISC.	A ladder could be useful, but you can also work through the fence nicely. There are food outlets & bathrooms in the terminal. Haze might be an issue on the apron.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm

NAN-Spot1

NAN-Spot1

NAN-Spot1

NAN-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Rental Car – Intl + Remote Apron
WHERE	From the terminal start walking eastwards to the Rental Car area. There you will find some housings/facilities and just north of these there is a part of the fence you can reach/access and walk along looking for your favourite angle: southern part allows front-shots, eastern part side-shots. If coming by car, you can park at the airport’s carpark and
WHAT	This spot offers nice views onto the apron in front thus it is good for the international aircraft arriving or departing from the closest gate, plus military and corporate jets nearby.
TIME	The light here is good in the morning hours.
MISC.	A ladder could be useful, but you can also work through the fence nicely. There are food outlets & bathrooms in the terminal. Haze might be an issue on the apron. Security approached spotters here on multiple occasions but once you explain what you are doing they are very welcoming.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm

NAN-Spot2

NAN-Spot2

NAN-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Bradfield Dr – 27 Approach
WHERE	From the terminal, walk or drive towards the helicopter apron of Island Hoppers Fiji on Bradfield Drive – or if you are entering the airport area from outside/the east, it is a left turn to the south after entering the airport. From Bradfield Dr you will have a decent view at one point as you can see below.
WHAT	From here you can beautifully shoot 27 arrivals.
TIME	From noon till late afternoon/sunset.
MISC.	No ladder needed here as you can shoot over the fence. There are food outlets & bathrooms in the terminal as nearest option, so take water as it can be quite sweaty!
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm DHC 6 = 400mm

NAN-Spot3

NAN-Spot3

NAN-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Wailoaloa Rd – 02 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at the southwestern end of the airport: simply locate yourself along Wailoala Rd or in one of the nearby side roads. You can come here by taxi from the airport or take a car/motorbicycle easily.
WHAT	From here you can spot 02 Arrivals.
TIME	Good from noon till sunset roughly.
MISC.	Nothing around, except houses and farms: no toilets, no food stands, bring what you need. Not a lot of flights so bring sunscreen.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm A320 = 160mm

NAN-Spot4

NAN-Spot4

NAN-Spot4