SUVA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The ground breaking ceremony for the Nausori International Airport runway extension and upgrade project was officiated by Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Wednesday.

According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) reports on Wednesday, Bainimarama said that this was the beginning of yet another accomplishment for Fiji's aviation industry and this also marked a new era of development and growth for Nausori Town and its surrounding areas.

Nausori International Airport is the second international airport in Fiji, situated in Nausori on the southeastern side of Fiji's main island Viti Levu where Fiji's capital city of Suva is located in.

A world-class airport will attract more tourists, diplomats and business travellers flying directly to Suva, he said, adding that in total Nausori airport handles nearly 75,000 international passengers and over quarter million domestic passengers each year with over 1,200 international flights and over 10,000 domestic flights taking off and landing on this runway last year.

The project with an estimated investment 60 million Fijian dollars (about 28.1 million U.S. dollars) will completely upgrade the airport's existing runway and other facilities.

The runway length will be extended from 1,670 meters to 2,140 meters and widened to 45 meters from the current 30 meters.

The project is expected to be completed in 2021.