Fiji Airports chief executive Mesake Nawari told aviation officials from across the Pacific that airports are “a lifeline” for island nations as he opened the first ACI–ICAO Annex 14 Regional Workshop in Nadi this week. Nawari said the gathering, attended by representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Pacific Island states, is focused on building resilient regional aerodromes capable of meeting international standards and the unique needs of island communities.
“Our airports connect island communities, support tourism and trade, facilitate emergency response, and link our people to the wider world,” Nawari said in his opening remarks, adding that aviation in the Pacific is not merely a service but a critical enabler of national development. He stressed the practical importance of keeping aerodromes operating during disasters and ensuring small island runways can sustain both routine connectivity and surge demands during emergencies.
The workshop, supported by the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) and facilitated by ICAO experts, centres on Annex 14 — the international standards and recommended practices for aerodrome design and operations. Organisers said sessions would share hands-on experience among participant states, address infrastructure and operational constraints common to Pacific airports, and explore measures to improve resilience in the face of extreme weather, rising passenger expectations and evolving regulatory requirements.
Nawari framed the event as a practical follow-up to broader regional policy discussions held in recent months. At the Third Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM3) in Suva, regional leaders emphasised aviation’s role in economic resilience and the need for greater cooperation; last year Fiji also hosted the opening of an ICAO Pacific liaison office in Nadi. This workshop shifts the emphasis from high-level strategy to on-the-ground implementation and capacity building, organisers say.
Delegates are expected to discuss issues from runway safety and drainage to maintenance regimes, emergency response coordination and pathways for small aerodromes to comply with global safety and operational requirements. Facilitators from ICAO will lead modules aimed at helping island states adapt Annex 14 guidance to local circumstances without compromising safety or connectivity.
Organisers said outcomes from the Nadi workshop will feed into regional efforts to harmonise standards and support targeted technical assistance. For Pacific nations that rely heavily on tourism, inter-island trade and rapid emergency access, strengthening aerodrome resilience remains a priority as climate change and shifting geopolitical dynamics increase both risks and the strategic importance of aviation links.
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