The Pinehill Airstrip in Namulomulo, Nadi, has become the centre of a storm – not from engines or propellers, but from public curiosity and unanswered questions.
Despite weeks of headlines and social media chatter, the owners have largely remained silent, leaving authorities to step into the spotlight and clarify the facts.
Built in 2019 for private recreational aviation, the airstrip has never been registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) and is not authorised for aircraft operations.
A government statement last week said conditional approval was granted in January 2020 for limited daytime use, but key registration requirements were never completed, and the COVID-19 pandemic stalled further progress.
It said the airstrip was closed to aircraft operation.
But despite the assurances from authorities, questions linger.
What exactly do our laws say about privately owned airstrips?
Laws and private airstrips
Theresa Levestam, CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), provides some clarity.
“Fiji’s civil aviation regulatory framework is implemented through a ‘three tier’ system (Acts, Regulations, and CAAF Standards Documents),” she told The Fiji Times.
“The standards for aerodromes are set out in CAAF’s Standards Document – Aerodromes (SD AD) which is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji Act 1979.
“In terms of legal requirements relevant to operating an aerodrome or airstrip, the Civil Aviation Reform Act 1999 provides that a person who operates an aerodrome except under a certificate or registration approval issued by the Authority commits an offence.
“It also sets out the conditions under which the authority may grant a registration approval.”
Certification required
Ms Levestam explains that the key aviation approval is that an aerodrome must be certificated or granted a registration approval before it is operated for aircraft take-offs and landings.
“The SD AD outlines the requirements that an applicant/operator must meet (including aerodrome design requirements and associated standards and appendices).
“This information is available for download from the CAAF website (www.caaf.org.fj).
“However, the same statement is clear that the airstrip (Pinehill) has not been registered by CAAF and is not authorised for aircraft operations.
“The statement also notes that conditional approval from the air navigation service provider was issued in January 2020 to permit limited daytime use, subject to the fulfilment of specified requirements and the formal registration of the airstrip by CAAF, and that the requirements necessary for registration were not completed.”
CAAF’s role
She added that CAAF’s role is to regulate aviation safety or security and compliance, including the certification or registration of aerodromes and ongoing oversight in accordance with legislation and standards.
“In relation to this specific site, the ministry’s statement confirms the airstrip is closed to aircraft operations unless and until all registration requirements are satisfied and CAAF approval is granted.
“Operationally, Fiji Airports has stated that any operations within the Nadi Control Zone are subject to ATC clearance, which is a further control relevant to preventing unauthorised activity in controlled airspace.”
Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka also addressed the matter, noting the airstrip was not on government’s priority list and was not authorised for operation.
“It must undergo the standard approval process before it could be used,” he said.
Pinehill background
Government’s February 17 statement provided additional clarity.
“During the planning and development stage, the owners engaged with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) and Fiji Airports in relation to applicable aviation safety and airspace considerations.
“Following further technical assessment, conditional approval was issued in January 2020 to permit limited daytime use, subject to the fulfilment of specified requirements and the formal registration of the airstrip by CAAF in accordance with regulatory requirements.
“The implementation of certain requirements necessary for registration was not completed, and progress was subsequently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the airstrip has not been registered and has not been used for any aircraft operations to date.”
Proximity to Nadi International Airport was another cause for concern.
“When an aerodrome is located within controlled airspace or in the vicinity of a major airport, operational airspace considerations apply,” Ms Lavestam explained.
“For example, any operation within the vicinity of Nadi International Airport, particularly within the Nadi Control Zone, is subject to Air Traffic Control clearance.
“Separately from aviation approvals, other government approvals (for example, land or lease, planning, environment) may also apply. Those processes sit outside CAAF’s remit.”
Owners’ silent
Attempts to contact the owners were unsuccessful. This newspaper reached out several times last week, but the company refused comment, citing public scrutiny and potential negative business impacts. A site visit revealed a heavily guarded property with security cameras and an electric fence. Neighbours confirmed no activity at the airstrip in recent years.
The ministry also emphasised this in its February 17 statement.
“The ministry confirms that there is no aviation safety risk arising from the current status of the airstrip.
“All established civil aviation regulatory processes have been applied, and the oversight framework remains in place to ensure that any future use of the airstrip complies fully with national regulations and international safety standards.”
Final word
For any future operations, the final word remains with CAAF.
“CAAF supports the ministry’s public messaging – the airstrip is not registered/certified and is therefore not operational.
“Should the owners wish to regularise the airstrip for lawful future use, they would need to complete the required aviation approval process (including meeting SD AD requirements and any applicable stakeholder considerations) before any operations could be authorised.”
For now, Pinehill Airstrip sits in regulatory limbo – a silent, fenced-off property balancing private ambitions, public curiosity, and the uncompromising rules of aviation safety.
Mulomulo Crime Prevention Committee member Timilai Naivakacagi shows the airstrip inside a private property along Kajiqari Road in Mulomulo Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND
An airstrip inside a private property along Kajiqari Road in Mulomulo Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND
An airstrip inside a private property along Kajiqari Road in Mulomulo Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND
