FIJI’s aviation sector serves as a primary backbone to the national economy, providing a vital bridge for international tourism, regional trade and island to island connectivity.
However, with growth comes a responsibility to ensure that with each transition, counter measures are in place to address high cost of aviation fuel, carbon dioxide emissions and an overall environmentally conscious strategy towards sustainability.
This is one of the many reasons investments in the sector’s sustainability is a focus that government past, present and future continue to prioritise.
This year, however, the need for sustainable fuel efficient and low-cost measures were ramped up especially with the war in the Middle East, which placed immense pressure on every industry to find better and less costly solutions.
In Parliament last week, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka introduced the Civil Aviation Master Plan 2026 to 2031 – a strategic framework designed to set the pace for industry stakeholders committed to a more sustainable future.
A five-year plan
Essentially, the Civil Aviation Master Plan 2026 to 2031, Mr Gavoka explained, outlined Fiji’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions through sustainable practices by each stakeholder. He said this was further provided in the Fiji State Action Plan developed in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation Resolution A41-22.
“It outlines the protocol measures that Fiji is implementing to reduce carbon emissions from international aviation and contribute towards ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal of net-zero aviation emissions by 2050,” he said.
“The Action Plan identifies a range of measures, including fleet modernisation, improved air traffic management, airport energy efficiency, sustainable aviation fuels, and renewable energy infrastructure.”
Fiji Airports
Mr Gavoka explained one of the state entities paving the way was Fiji Airports through its new solar farm featuring a 3.25 megawatt solar power system at the Nadi International Airport where an estimated 2.5MW of electricity is consumed.
“When completed, the solar farm will generate sufficient renewable energy to meet current airport demand, thereby sustainably reducing reliance on conventional electricity sources while strengthening operational resilience and long-term energy security.
“Fiji Airports has advised that approximately 25 per cent surplus generated capacity will be available during peak periods, creating opportunities to support future airport development and contribute excess electricity back to the national grid.”
He said the Master Plan also recognised that future airports must be safe, resilient, technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable.
“It is central to maintaining competitiveness, reducing operating costs, enhancing resilience to climate-related events, and meeting international expectations regarding environmental performance.
“Initiatives like the Nadi International Airport Solar Farm, therefore, deliver multiple benefits simultaneously,” Mr Gavoka said.
“They strengthen energy security, reduce emissions, support climate resilience, improve operation reliability, and contribute to long-term economic sustainability.”
Fiji Airways
The Civil Aviation Minister also highlighted contributions made by the national airway that aligned with the five-year framework that include exploring locally produced aviation fuel.
“Fiji Airways has progressively modernised its fleets through the introduction of Airbus A350 and Boeing 737 MAX, both of which deliver substantial fuel efficiency improvements compared with previous generation aircraft.
“The Government is also supporting work on sustainable aviation fuels. Fiji’s State Action Plan includes ongoing assessment of locally produced sustainable aviation fuel derived from sugarcane-based feedstocks.
“This demonstrates the breadth of Fiji’s approach to aviation decarbonisation and provides opportunities to create new economic activities while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.”
He added capacity building of human capital within the sector was equally important and formed a significant part of the master plan.
The Civil Aviation Master Plan 2026 to 2031 was launched earlier this year.
