Fiji tightens aviation safety after Air India tragedy

Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka has assured Fijians that the country’s aviation system remains safe, as the government takes proactive steps in response to the tragic crash of Air India Flight A1171 in June this year.

While speaking in Parliament today, Gavoka extended Fiji's sympathies to those affected by the crash and says the incident, which claimed 260 lives, underscores the importance of aviation safety for every nation, including Fiji.

He highlighted that Fiji is not responding to the tragedy with distance, but with diligence, ensuring that the lessons from the incident are applied domestically.

Gavoka says the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) has initiated targeted safety audits of all Fiji-registered aircraft with comparable systems to the Boeing 787, including aircraft operated by Fiji Airways such as the Boeing 737 MAX 8, Airbus A330, and A350.

He says the audits focus on engine fuel cutoff switch mechanisms, emergency protocols, and black box data retrieval capabilities.

He adds that CAAF is aligning its processes with ICAO standards and is ready to issue further directives if necessary.

Gavoka says CAAF is reviewing regulations governing aviation accident investigations to ensure Fiji has robust systems in place for swift and effective responses.

The Minister stresses that aviation safety is not just about hardware, but also about human factors, revealing that Fiji is enhancing pilot training, particularly in Crew Resource Management (CRM), to improve cockpit coordination during critical flight phases.

Gavoka has assured the public that Fiji's aviation standards will not only be maintained but strengthened.

Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya welcomed the Ministerial Statement, emphasising that aviation remains the safest mode of transport globally due to strict controls which must never be taken for granted.

Koya commended the work of CAAF past and present, but stressed the importance of continuous training, information sharing with global aviation bodies, and ensuring Fiji’s regulatory frameworks remain at par with international standards.