At the 40th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly, Fiji made a strong push for the establishment of ICAO Pacific Regional Sub-Office to build on the region’s steady improvements in airline safety and security compliance.
Fiji voiced its support for the regional sub-office at a high-level meeting between Attorney-General and Minister responsible for civil aviation, Hon Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and the Secretary-General, Dr. Fang Liu and the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.
“It’s time ICAO made a home for itself in the Pacific, bringing international civil aviation expertise to our region and helping build on the great progress Fiji and other Pacific Island States have made in creating safe and sustainable skies. Together, we can advance our vision to build a Pacific airline market where people can travel in security, competition is fair and our carbon footprint is responsible. ” said the AG.
At the 39th ICAO Assembly in 2016, a working paper was submitted by New Zealand and Pacific Island States requesting the ICAO Secretariat to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of an ICAO Regional Sub-Office in the Pacific. The report on the feasibility study will be tabled and reviewed at the upcoming ICAO Council meeting