Australian holiday makers will spend the weekend in Fiji hiding from a powerful cyclone as airlines cancel all flights to and from the Pacific island group.
Virgin, Jetstar and Fiji Airways have either suspended or brought forward flights between Australia and Fiji as the category-5 tropical cyclone Winston descends on the island, bringing with it winds approaching 300km/h.
Acting head of the Pacific, International Federation of Red Cross Ahmed Sani, who is currently barricaded in his office in Suva, Fiji, says fierce gusts of wind are pushing trees almost to the ground.
"There is no one outside; it is almost impossible to stay outdoors," he told AAP on Saturday afternoon.
As night nears, locals and holiday makers have been told to stay indoors for three days, Mr Sani said, and to stockpile on dry food that will sustain them for a while.
"We have seen people shopping for the last few days, and from today, the shops are now closed and we hope people have sufficient stock to survive," he said.
Australians on holidays will have to wait at least until Monday to fly home as Virgin Australia cancels all services to and from Nadi, Fiji.
A total of 12 flights departing or arriving at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this weekend have been affected, with Monday flights under review depending on weather conditions.
"Affected guests, including guests scheduled to travel to Nadi on Monday, have the option of switching their date of travel or destination with change fees waived or receiving a full travel credit," a statement from the airline said.
A Virgin spokesman said the information was that Saturday and Sunday would not change.
Jetstar has also cancelled four flights on Saturday and Sunday between Gold Coast, Sydney and Nadi.
"We will evaluate all flights on Monday depending on what happens tonight and tomorrow," a Jetstar spokesman said.
Fiji Airways has suspended five flights between Nadi and Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, while also bringing forward two flights to avoid the destructive winds and heavy rain that have begun pummelling the island.
The airline is extending a waiver of fees for all passengers holding a valid ticket issued on or before Friday, for travel between Friday and Thursday, February 25.
Winston, which has intensified to a category-5 storm, has already lashed Tonga and is reportedly affecting eastern areas of Fiji.
The storm is forecast to hit the more populated western islands over the weekend.
The storm is carrying average winds of 220km/h, with gusts of up to 315km/h recorded, according to Fiji's Meteorological Service.
A Qantas charter service from Honiara in the Solomon Islands to Nadi on Saturday night has been cancelled, as has the subsequent return service from Nadi to Honiara.
