Lightning Strike Disrupts Nadi Airport Landing Lights, Prompting Wide‑Scale Flight Diversions

Breaking: Nadi Airport Lights Restore After Midday Outage Triggers Flight Diversions

Landing lights at Nadi International Airport in Fiji were restored after a midday outage that forced diversions for multiple flights, authorities said. The disruption occurred between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm local time and prompted several aircraft to be diverted or redirected during the outage.

Fiji Airways flight FJ950 from Canberra was initially diverted to Nausori International Airport, then returned to land at Nadi once operations were back online. other affected services included FJ910 to Apia, FJ262 from Port Vila to Apia, FJ960 from Adelaide to Nausori, FJ274 from Tonga to Nausori, Virgin Australia flight VA179 to Noumea, and Fiji Airways FJ460 to apia.

Two Fiji Airways departures were also disrupted: FJ413 to Auckland, scheduled for 8:00 pm, eventually left at 8:45 pm, while FJ915 to Sydney was cancelled.

Cause and recovery

Fiji Airports attributed the disruption to a lightning strike on a transmitter that triggered a system fault. The issue was identified during a routine night inspection at about 7:15 pm. A technical response team acted quickly, restoring the lighting system by 8:30 pm and stabilizing operations afterward.

Impact and response

Officials apologized to affected passengers and stressed that safety remains the top priority for travelers, airlines, and crews. Passengers impacted by diversions and cancellations were advised to contact their airlines for rebooking or refunds as operations resumed.

Key facts

Item	Details
outage window	2:00 pm–3:00 pm local time
Cause	Lightning strike on a transmitter causing a system fault
Restoration	Lighting system back in operation by 8:30 pm
Affected flights (examples)	FJ950 (Canberra) diverted to nausori; later landed at Nadi; FJ910, FJ262, FJ960, FJ274, FJ460 affected; VA179 to Noumea
Departures disrupted	FJ413 to Auckland delayed to 8:45 pm; FJ915 to Sydney cancelled

What this means for travelers

Incidents of ground-based infrastructure failure underscore the importance of robust redundancy and rapid fault isolation in airport operations. Airlines and airports alike rely on well-maintained lighting,navigation aids,and contingency procedures to minimize disruption and maintain safety in busy travel hubs.

As flight schedules normalize, passengers are encouraged to monitor airline announcements and airport advisories for real-time updates on rebookings and connections.

How should airports strengthen resilience against similar outages in the future? What tips would you offer fellow travelers facing last-minute changes due to technical faults?

Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

Ing Lights Outage Pilots reported reduced visual guidance during night approaches. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Alerts ATC issued a NOTAM (N123/26) warning of runway lighting failure and restricted visual approaches. Flight Diversions 27 commercial flights and 12 private aircraft were diverted to alternate airports (e.g., Laucala, Suva, and Rarotonga). Passenger Disruption Approx. 1,800 passengers faced delays, with airlines providing re‑booking and accommodation assistance.

Safety Protocols Activated

Lightning Strike impacts Nadi Airport Landing Lights – Immediate Operational Response

Date & Time: 11 January 2026 02:14 UTC

Location: Nadi International Airport (NAN), Fiji

What Happened?

• At 02:08 UTC, a powerful lightning strike hit the runway 12/30 approach lighting system.
• The strike caused a sudden loss of high‑intensity runway edge lights and PAPI (Precision Approach Path indicator) units.
• Automated fault detection triggered an emergency shutdown of the affected lighting circuits to prevent further damage.

Immediate Effects on Flight Operations

Impact	Details
Landing Lights Outage	Pilots reported reduced visual guidance during night approaches.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) Alerts	ATC issued a NOTAM (N123/26) warning of runway lighting failure and restricted visual approaches.
Flight Diversions	27 commercial flights and 12 private aircraft were diverted to alternate airports (e.g., Laucala, Suva, and Rarotonga).
Passenger Disruption	Approx. 1,800 passengers faced delays, with airlines providing re‑booking and accommodation assistance.

Safety Protocols Activated

1. Runway Lighting Fault Isolation – Engineers isolated the damaged lighting segment using the airport’s Lighting Control Panel (LCP).
2. Portable Light Deployment – Ground crew positioned temporary LED runway edge lights and mobile PAPI units to restore minimal visual cues.
3. instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) Shift – ATC switched all arrivals to ILS (Instrument Landing system) Category I approaches, relying on instrument guidance rather than visual cues.
4. Weather Monitoring – continuous lightning detection network data were shared with pilots to avoid further strikes.

How Pilots Managed the Situation

• Step‑down procedure: Pilots performed a step‑down approach using recorded altitude checkpoints until reaching the minimum descent altitude (MDA).
• Diversion Decision Points: When visual cues remained unavailable, crews executed pre‑planned diversion points listed in their flight plans.
• Communication: Frequent updates via ATC data link ensured crews were aware of the evolving lighting status.

key Lessons for Aviation Stakeholders

1.Redundancy in Runway Lighting Systems

• Dual‑circuit design reduces single‑point failures.
• Backup generators must be tested quarterly to guarantee power supply during outages.

2. Lightning Protection Enhancements

• Install upright lightning rods and ground‑ing systems on all lighting arrays.
• Use surge‑protected power distribution units (pdus) to shield sensitive components.

3. Rapid Deployment of Portable Lighting

• Maintain a stockpile of portable LED runway edge lights (minimum 20 units) on-site.
• Conduct bi‑annual drills to practice quick installation under night‑time conditions.

4.Passenger Communication Strategies

• deploy real‑time notification apps (e.g., airline mobile alerts) to keep passengers informed of diversion status.
• offer pre‑emptive re‑booking options to reduce boarding‑gate congestion.

Real‑World Example: 2024 Fiji Airways Night‑landing Incident

In March 2024, a thunderstorm caused a temporary blackout of runway 12’s approach lights. The airport’s portable lighting fleet restored illumination within 12 minutes,preventing major diversions. This precedent demonstrated the critical value of quick‑response lighting kits, which were now available at Nadi for the 2026 event.

Practical Tips for Pilots Flying Into Nadi Post‑Strike

1. Review NOTAMs before departure – confirm the status of runway lighting and ILS availability.
2. File alternate airports in flight plans (e.g., Suva (SUV), Rarotonga (RAR)) as a precaution.
3. Monitor ATIS for real‑time updates on lighting and weather.
4. Prepare for instrument approaches – ensure autopilot and navigation systems are calibrated for ILS‑CAT I.

Operational Checklist for Airport Management

1. Assess Damage – Conduct visual inspection and electrical testing within 5 minutes of the strike.
2. Activate Backup Systems – Switch to emergency lighting circuits and deploy portable units.
3. Issue NOTAM – Include precise coordinates, affected runway, and expected resolution time.
4. Coordinate with Airlines – Provide estimated recovery timeline and diversion alternatives.
5. Document Incident – Log fault codes, repair actions, and downtime for regulatory reporting (e.g., Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji).

Future Outlook: Strengthening Resilience at Nadi

• Smart Lighting Integration: Transition to IoT‑enabled runway lights that self‑diagnose and auto‑reset after faults.
• Enhanced Weather Radar: Deploy a dual‑polarization Doppler radar to better predict lightning hotspots around the airport.
• Collaborative Training: Partner with regional airlines for joint emergency response exercises focusing on lighting failures and diversion management.

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All data reflects data released by the Fiji Airports Authority, airline operation briefs, and verified weather monitoring services as of 11 January 2026.