Page 24 - Islands Business October 2024 edition

Aviation Aviation

Kiribati” being prepared under bilateral arrangements with the islands. Emerging climate and disaster risks include a high
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. risk of tsunami hazard and coastal flooding, and a medium
Kiribati’s government aspires to increase GDP through risk of heat hazard. These hazards will result from increasing
tourism. Expanding aviation access to Kiritimati, which has air and sea surface temperatures, increasing average rainfall,
vast natural resources for marine recreation, is seen as and more occurrences of extreme rainfall events and very hot
an inter-related development priority. Further, there are days. The social, economic and environmental implications
opportunities for export growth associated with commercial of climatic changes and hazards are multiplied when overlaid
aquaculture and marine products, which benefit from quick with high levels of vulnerability.
delivery options, such as air freight. Currently, CXI does not Sea level rise poses an existential threat to low-lying
meet FAA and TSA requirements for international air freight islands. The Government is making contingency plans for
into the US, particularly HNL, which is about 2150 kilometers evacuating to places with greater capacity to withstand
from Kiritimati (or about three hours flying time). Meeting climate change impacts. One of those contingency plans is
the requirements to enable international air freight from for climate-induced migration to Kiritimati, which includes
Kiritimati into the US would reduce economic distance and large investments from development partners. As part of
provide additional economic opportunities. these plans, KKIP would support “no-regret” foundational
In general, Kiribati’s transport sector is critically exposed to infrastructure for transport connectivity.
the effects of climate change, given the low-lying nature of

“A GAME-CHANGER”: FIJI AIRWAYS

LAUNCHES NEW FLIGHT SIMULATORS

By Prerna Priyanka A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8, bringing the number of simulators
to four.
Fiji Airways has launched two advanced full-flight simulators “When I joined in 2016, we were spending FJ$10 million
for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft at its Aviation Academy annually on foreign training facilities, with 15% of our pilots
in Nadi, with the aim of reshaping aviation training in the abroad at any given time,” Viljoen said.
Pacific. “Now, we can provide world-class training right here.”
“These simulators are more than just machines; they’re Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka lauded the simulators as a
a symbol of progress, opportunity, and commitment to transformative step for Fiji and the broader Pacific region.
excellence,” said Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer, Andre “This is a beacon of opportunity for Fijians, especially for
Viljoen. our women, who have traditionally been under-represented in
“We are now fully equipped to provide the best training for aviation,” he said.
our pilots right here at home, without the need to send them “Fiji Airways is creating a pathway for more Fijians to
overseas.” pursue careers in aviation without the barriers of travel or
The new simulators, certified by the European Union access.”
Aviation Safety Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, Viljoen emphasised that the benefits of the academy go
join the academy’s existing training devices for the Airbus beyond cost savings, focussing on developing local talent and
enhancing operational efficiency.
“This is about setting higher standards of training and
airmanship within our airline,” he said.
Currently, 60% of the airline’s 240 pilots are Fijian nationals,
with the academy enabling the promotion of 34 local pilots,
moving from second officers to first officers and from first
officers to captains.
The academy allowed Fiji Airways to maintain crucial
operations even when international travel came to a
standstill.
“These simulators were lifesavers during the pandemic,”
said Viljoen.
“The training provided by these simulators allowed
our pilots to remain proficient and ready, enabling us to
undertake 523 repatriation flights and transport 17,000 tonnes
of essential cargo, including medical supplies, during the
pandemic,” Viljoen explained.
Fiji Airways pilots with the new simulator

24 Islands Business, October 2024