Fiji Airways was forced to cancel its flight to Tuvalu on Saturday after a dispute between landowners and government over land lease payments led to a blockade of the international airport.
Funafuti Airport Terminal in Tuvalu Photo: Tuvalu Government Media
Radio Tuvalu News said the passengers on the flight were stranded in Nausori in Va.
A senior Fiji Airways official, told the radio station the airline cancelled its flight because it was too risky to try and land.
Two large trucks were parked on the runway.
A spokesperson for the landowners, Semi Vine, said the landowners of Funafuti want to take their land back because government has failed to sign a new lease deal last week.
The secretary to government, Tine Leuelu, said the matter was resolved and the trucks were removed by Saturday evening.