Travellers trapped as Evan heads towards Fiji

Fiji’s tourism industry is on standstill as category four, Cyclone Evan heads towards Fiji’s islands today.

More than 400 locals have already taken shelter in evacuation centres to avoid the storm, which has reportedly already taken four lives, with another eight fishermen missing after passing through Samoa last week.

Among those trapped include nearly 2,000 Australian travellers, among them up to 700 teenage schoolies.

Keeping travellers on the ground, airlines have cancelled all flights in and out of Nadi and Suva.

Air Pacific has advised all flights expects to depart and arrive today have been cancelled or rescheduled and does not expect to operate any services in and out of Fiji until late Tuesday morning.

Change fees are being waived for affected passengers, and passengers on affected flights are advised to call the Air Pacific call centre at +679 6720888 or +679 3304388 for further information on changes to travel plans.

Virgin Australia has also cancelled six services between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Nadi and will schedule extra services on Wednesday 19 December to accommodate affected travellers.

Meanwhile, cruise ship, Crystal Symphony will be diverted to the Bay of Islands, New Zealand instead of calling into Lautoka, Fiji.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia