Aviation Minister Says Fiji Passes ICAO Safety Audit

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka told parliament on April 27, 2025, that the country had passed a recent international aviation security audit. However, some room for improvement was identified.

As reported by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, the 2023 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) scrutinised Fiji’s aviation sector against a 500-point checklist and found no significant safety concerns.

As a result, among other things, Fiji retains its Federal Aviation Administration Category One safety rating, allowing Fiji Airways to maintain its US flights.

However, the audit did suggest Fiji improve its aviation security legislation and implement systems like advance passenger information and passenger name record.

“Gavoka said there are areas for improvements which will require financial resources. “In many ways, this is a focus on capacity building with our people in aviation,” he told Fiji’s Parliament.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji is responsible for regulating and overseeing the country’s aviation industry, ensuring safety and compliance with international standards.

The state-owned Fiji Airports is responsible for running Fiji's 15 airports, including the primary Nadi International Airport (NAN) as well as Suva Nausori Airport (SUV), which handles many domestic flights. Fiji Airports also provides air traffic management services in the Nadi Flight Information Region.

The third major player in the Fijian aviation sector is majority state-owned Fiji Airways, which flies to various domestic and international destinations, including several US airports. Its access to those airports and its strategy of developing Nadi as a transit hub for US – Southwest Pacific flights depends on Fiji continuing to pass ICAO audits.

Late last year, Nadi International Airport underwent an “intense” security review by Airports Council International. While unrelated to the all-important ICAO audit, it did assess the airport’s security governance, systems and processes.

Aside from Fiji Airways and its domestic off-shot FijiLink, seven airlines serve Nadi International Airport, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, Aircalin, Jetstar, Nauru Airlines, and Solomon Airlines.

Photo: Airbus