APPOINTMENTS to the boards of Fiji Airports and the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) are causing conflicts, says Fiji Airports Ltd’s CEO Mesake Nawari.
He made the comment at the proposed Civil Aviation Bill 2026 public consultations in Nadi yesterday.
“A challenge we face at Fiji Airports now, in recent days, we’re seeing appointments on our board and the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji board that have conflicts,” he said.
“I won’t say the conflicts, but very close relationships.
“So, I think it’s important that we think of a way that we can help through the legislation in managing potential perceived conflicts at the governance levels.”
Raising a point on departure tax, Mr Nawari said this should be decided by the industry rather than the Ministry of Finance.
“Because we are exposed to what is happening internationally, and I think proper analysis happens.
“It is an expensive tax on the industry that supports this country, this is an opportunity to see whether it can come through the industry.
“All of a sudden, we get an announcement in the budget that the departure tax has decreased.”
The Civil Aviation Bill 2026 public consultation is organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF).
CEO seeks clarity
FIJI Airports Ltd’s CEO Mesake Nawari has raised concerns at the removal of the organisation from a section of the proposed Civil Aviation Bill 2026.
Referring to sections 56 & 57 on Air Navigation Services, Mr Nawari told the Civil Aviation Bill 2026
committee in Nadi yesterday that in the current Bill, Fiji Airports is as the provider of the services.
Mr Nawari emphasised that Fiji Airports is 100 per cent owned by the Fijian Government.
“So, here we have removed it,” he said.
“With the huge investment that has already been made over the years and future investments that will be made, as you are aware, the transformations that are happening.
“Why has it been removed? “What’s the rationale, and we would like to see Fiji Airports included in the name there because it is still State-owned and it would be good to remain State-owned, in that part of the business.”
In response, Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) lawyer Florence Takinana said the rationale behind the removal is to have this legislation open to any designated entity and not just Fiji Airports.
“So, this is for the future, and that is the intention and I’m explaining the intention,” she said.
“But at the end of the day, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation will decide on the policy whether to spell out Fiji Airports or not.”
