Nadi International Airport (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The original airstrips at Nadi were built by New Zealand in 1939. They were paid for by the British colonial authorities and were used by the United States Army Air Forces when the Pacific War began in 1941, as USAAF Nandi (sic). Early in the war, the Americans flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Nandi against Japanese targets in the Philippines and Solomon Islands. Later in 1943, the 42d Bombardment Group, flew B-25 Mitchells from Nandi. Following the end of the war, control of Nadi Airport was handed over to New Zealand on 20 December 1946, and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand began operations from Nadi in 1947. At independence in 1970, the Fijian government began participating in the organisation of Nadi Airport, and full control was handed over in 1979. The first tarmac runway was constructed in 1946 at a cost of 46,500; length 7000ft x 150ft - 2133m x 46m.