Police have firmly denied ever using the privately owned Skyward Pinehills airstrip in Namulomulo, Nadi, amid claims linking it to law enforcement activities.
“We have not used the airstrip or have ever requested to use this airstrip at any time,” Acting Police Commissioner Mesake Waqa said.
“Our team only uses the Nadi and Nausori airports.”
Yesterday a government statement said the airstrip was closed until proper authorisation was given by the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji.
Clarifying the issue of the airstrip located about 8.5kilometres southeast of the Nadi International Airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed the owners would have to seek formal registration for its use.
In addition, Police also denied any partnership with the owners of the airstrip.
“The airstrip was constructed in 2019 for private recreational aviation purposes,” it said.
“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.
“Given the airstrip’s proximity to Nadi International Airport, initial airspace concerns were raised by Fiji Airports. 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.”
The statement said the site remained closed to aircraft operations unless and until registration requirements were fully satisfied and approval was granted by CAAF.
“The ministry confirms that there is no aviation safety risk arising from the current status of the airstrip.”
