The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is set to initiate public consultations on the draft Civil Aviation Bill 2026 starting this Monday. This significant step aims to update Fiji’s 49-year-old Civil Aviation Act while strengthening the country’s aviation framework.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, highlighted that the existing legislation, which includes the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji Act 1979 and the Civil Aviation Reform Act 1999, fails to meet contemporary aviation safety, regulatory, and operational standards. The proposed draft bill seeks to consolidate these three existing laws into a modern, cohesive framework.
Gavoka emphasized that the new legislation aims to enhance aviation safety, improve regulatory efficiency, and align Fiji with international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. He stated, “This work will culminate in a new civil aviation bill, which will repeal and replace the existing acts with a single modern piece of legislation. The new bill is designed to provide a comprehensive legal framework for both aviation safety and economic regulation, ensuring Fiji’s civil aviation system is adequately equipped to meet current and emerging sector demands.”
In a bid to foster transparency and gather extensive feedback, Gavoka is encouraging public participation in the consultation process. The Ministry, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, plans to utilize the feedback collected to refine the draft bill before submitting it to Parliament for approval.
Public consultation sessions will take place from December 8 to December 12 in key locations including Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, and Savusavu. This initiative represents a proactive approach to modernizing Fiji’s aviation laws, positioning the country well for future growth and development in the aviation sector.
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