Flights cancelled as tropical cyclone Mal expected to hit Fiji

Fiji Airways has delayed six flights to and from Fiji on November 15, 2023.

The full list is on the Fiji Airways website.

Fiji Airways advised passengers traveling with the airline to check emails for updates on their booking.

Virgin Australia cancelled three return flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Nadi on November 14.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said safety was a priority and the airline "took the precautionary measure of cancelling three return flights to Fiji" because of Cyclone Mal which has formed northwest of Nadi.

"We proactively communicated with our guests on Monday morning, advising that weather conditions may affect their flight, and again in the evening after the decision to cancel flights to Fiji was made."

"This was to provide as much notice as possible to our guests."

"We continue to closely monitor Tropical Cyclone Mal and encourage guests booked to travel to Fiji in the coming days to monitor their flight information," the spokesperson said.

Qantas is monitoring the situation in Fiji but has not made any changes to flights at this stage.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Tropical Cyclone Mal had developed on the north-west of Fiji overnight on November 13.

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Tropical Cyclone Mal is currently in Fiji's Area of Responsibility (AOR) and is forecast to move in a south-easterly direction over the next 24 hours, the bureau said.

The Bureau said Mal could potentially impact Viti Levu, one of Fiji's largest islands on the morning of November 15.

"It is likely to increase its intensity to a category 3 system as it passes close to the island," the bureau said.

The cyclone is not likely to move into Australia's AOR or approach the Australian mainland and offshore territories, according to the bureau.

Smartraveller's latest advisory for Fiji says the cyclone was upgraded to Category 2.

The website says flight disruptions and cancellations are occurring and strong winds, heavy rain and flooding is expected.

"The situation is changing rapidly. Monitor local news reports and follow the advice and warnings of the Fiji National Disaster Management Office."