Every year, millions of passengers pass through international airports all over the world.
According to Fiji Airports Ltd, Fiji’s main international gateway in Nadi welcomes more than 2.1 million international passengers and close to 300,000 domestic passengers annually.
Nadi International Airport – often described as a vital air bridge to the world, also handles more than 1.3 million tons of freight, services 20 airlines and connects Fiji to five cities internationally.
Fiji Airports Ltd’s 2021 annual report highlighted total international passengers for 2021 was 81,147 compared to 409,161 in 2020; and 2,212,090 in 2019; while domestic passengers were 256,344 compared to 461,513 in 2020, and 897,661 in 2019.
The Fiji Airports 2018-2019 annual report stated Nadi Airport recorded 15,202 international aircraft movements in 2018 and 14,962 in 2019.
It also reported 49,769 domestic aircraft movements in 2018 and 47,359 in 2019.
In total, Nadi International Airport catered to 101,376 aircraft movements in 2018 and 95,868 in 2019.
The Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East reported that in the Oceania region including Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands, more than 200 million passengers travelled last year.
And it estimates this number to grow by 80 million by 2043, and more than 350 million in 2053.
Why are these numbers important?
Because it is these high volumes of passenger and aircraft movements that demands a lot from airports in terms of advanced airport safety, security, management, economics, environment, sustainable development and service excellence.
All that, however, require strong commitment by all aviation authorities and stakeholders to meet the demand of the future.
Strengthening connectivity
At the recent 3rd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva, Hong Kong-based director general ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) Stefano Baronci noted many Pacific island airports had relatively low connectivity scores because of indirect routes, small passenger volumes and infrastructure limitations.
“Enhancing connectivity is a strategic necessity, not just for tourism but also for trade, healthcare and emergency response,” Mr Baronci said.
He urged Pacific islands ministers and authorities to:
– develop national and regional strategies for air connectivity improvement in consultation with aviation stakeholders;
– advocate for liberalised aviation policies, which facilitate market access and increased competition;
– strengthen links to major connectivity hubs, reducing travel costs and driving economic integration;
– incentivise at regulatory level airports to include digital systems, use of emerging technologies and AI for instance; and
– refrain from imposing further taxes and duties on airports, passengers and air transport; only justifiable, equitable and non-discriminatory taxes on airports, passengers and air transport are acceptable, because it otherwise engenders a negative economic impact hindering the sustainable development of airports and of air transport.
Safety and security
Safety and security in aviation are a non-negotiable priority.
Mr Baronci said Pacific island airports, including Fiji, faced unique challenges in safety and security due to aerodrome topography, resource limitations and evolving threats.
He said ACI promoted regional safety cooperation and regulatory harmonisation to achieve International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliance.
Key areas of support include:
– runway safety, incident investigation and wildlife hazard management;
– investment in aerodrome infrastructure, including pavement, lighting and marking;
– security assessments to address gaps in technology, training and compliance; and recent APEX in security reviews in Vanuatu (2019) and Fiji (2024) have helped airports strengthen security culture and risk management.
He called on Pacific authorities and stakeholders to work collaboratively with ACI APAC & MID to implement technological advanced solutions tailored to the region with regard to security and safety, and using emerging technologies and AI.
Climate resilience and sustainability
Mr Barconi said Pacific island airports are among the most vulnerable to climate change, being exposed to threats such as rising sea levels and extreme weather, and signalled the need to act now to build for the future.
In an interview at the RAMM3, he told this newspaper that sustainable growth was a major issue highlighted at the regional meet.
He said the airport sector was the first one to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 – a target shared by other aviation stakeholders.
The director general cited the Airport Carbon Accreditation – the only globally-recognised carbon management certification for airports – that independently assesses airports’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions across seven certification levels.
“As of today, 618 airports in the world participate in the program with the objective to progressively reduce their CO2 emissions, including some airports from Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands and New Caledonia,” Mr Baronci said.
He said ACI APAC had launched a complementary program to add airports to set its roadmap towards net zero.
ACI APAC & MID is leading the Climate Adaptation Study for Pacific Airports, providing risk assessment tools and resilience strategies, and the study findings will be shared in the second half of this year.
He said airports in the Pacific islands will be invited to implement the Climate Risk Maturity Check Tool to strengthen resilience.
Mr Baronci said there was also progress in talks to switch to reach 5 per cent of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030.
Building capacity
Mr Baronci said capacity building was essential for Pacific airports to meet international standards and remain competitive.
He said ACI provided a comprehensive suite of training programs and financial support mechanisms to develop skills and expertise.
“ACI APA &MID invites the Pacific islands ministers and other Pacific island authorities to work collaboratively with ACI APA & MID to implement solutions tailored to the region with regard to building capacity across the aviation value chain at all levels, from governance to management and technical levels, including, but not limited to , encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the aviation sector.”
In his presentation at the RAMM3, Fiji Airports CEO Mesake Nawari noted their strategic goal on aviation capability development, and highlighted the work of the Fiji Airports Aviation Academy in Nadi.
The academy – in operation for more than 25 years and certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji as an aviation training institute and accredited with Higher Education Commission Fiji (HEC) – offers accredited training in air traffic management courses, including air traffic control and aeronautical information services that are available to Pacific Island States.
Mr Nawari said they were currently holding discussions with HEC to review its courses and to create pathways to higher aviation qualifications.
He said for the next 12 months, Fiji Airports was looking at expansion plans for the Fiji Airport Aviation Academy, to add courses and programs for other aviation accredited courses.
And in the next three to seven years, it aims to establish the Aviation Centre of Excellence in Nadi.
Conclusion
ICAO Asia-Pacific regional director Tao Ma said the performance of the Pacific region is limited by the financial and human resource constraints of the States, particularly the shortage of a sufficient, qualified and competent technical aviation workforce.
He said Pacific States had clearly demonstrated the desire and commitment to build capacity and capability to uplift compliance levels.
“It is encouraging to note that considerable effort in the civil aviation field has been initiated from within the region through important high-level forums such as the RAMM3, and through the launching of visionary strategies such as the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy,” Mr Ma said.
He cited the Asia and Pacific Civil Aviation Ministerial Conference in New Delhi, India that highlighted the need to appropriately resource civil aviation, and the ministers’ pledge to provide civil aviation authorities in the region with the necessary autonomy and powers, and sustainable sources of funding and resources to carry out effective safety and security oversight and regulation of the aviation industry.
Mr Baronci said Fiji and other Pacific islands had a tremendous opportunity for continued growth.
“The role that Fiji can play as a hub in synergy with the airline is the most exciting challenge that my colleagues have today and in the future.”
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated MARCH 28, 2025.
