A CALL was made at the proposed Civil Aviation Bill 2026 consultations in Nadi this week to include drugs and the carrying of guns in the dangerous goods section of the legislation.
Airports Fiji Ltd legal officer Komal Raj told the Civil Aviation Bill committee many parliamentary discussions have been conducted on the carrying of drugs in aircraft.
“We understand that dangerous goods could be anything that is a danger in the aircraft and the safety of the people,” she said.
“There have been a lot of parliamentary discussions on the carriage of drugs.
“They (Government) do want us to be checking for drugs in relation to dangerous goods, and scanning and everything.
“And can that be considered given the environment and the pressure from the Government as well on drugs and guns as well.”
In response, Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji executive manager Standards & Compliance Sereima Bolanavatu said the definition of dangerous goods in the proposed Bill was taken from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“ICAO Annex 18, which is safe transportation of dangerous goods, and the definition is a substance that poses risk to the health, safety, property or environment in the ICAO technical instructions,” Ms Bolanavatu said.
“So, the provision of drugs is not included and not included in this category of dangerous goods.”
Airports Fiji Ltd CEO Mesake Nawari told the committee: ” Can it be included or in other parts of the Act to include that because it is a real issue?”
CAAF acting CEO Rigamoto Aisake said dangerous goods were covered under Annex 9, which covered facilitation.
“So, there are provisions for drugs covered under Annex 9 and there are provisions specifically to handle that as part of the facilitation aspect,” Mr Aisake said.
