New Era in Fiji’s Aviation as ATS Goes Employee-Owned

ATS shines as government-backed employee ownership framework takes root

Finance Minister Biman Prasad hailed Air Terminal Services for its strong financial turnaround and robust operations, as the company opened the Air Terminal Services Employees Trust (ATSET) building in Lautoka this week. He highlighted impressive 2024 figures, noting that ATS achieved 98.9% on-time performance, handled almost 9,000 flights, and produced over 2 million in-flight meals. The minister stressed that the turnaround was driven by solid leadership, sound management, and the dedication of ATS workers.

From losses in 2020–2021, ATS swung to profits of 11 million in 2022 and 16 million in 2023. Prasad pointed out that the company directly supported around 800 jobs and paid dividends to the Government for national development. He also thanked long-serving staff, saying their loyalty, institutional knowledge, and commitment have been vital to ATS’s success.

The new ATSET building, he said, represents more than a physical structure. It embodies a shift toward employee ownership, security for workers, and a model where government, employees, and trade unions collaborate to foster harmonious and productive industrial relations.

Context around ATS’s ownership and workers’ benefits underscores the broader positive momentum. ATSET, which represents roughly 300 union workers, holds a 49% stake in ATS with the Government owning the remaining 51%. The trust has distributed dividends to its members, including a landmark payout of about 2 million to most workers, reinforcing how employee ownership can translate into tangible gains for staff.

In recent years, ATS’s strong performance has also translated into government dividends. Following a record NPAT of 16 million for the 2023 financial year, ATS distributed about 2.47 million to the Government, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Prasad accepting the dividend on the Government’s behalf. The Ministry of Finance has repeatedly described the results as a testament to ATS’s robust operational recovery and effective management, underscoring the company’s vital role in Fiji’s tourism sector. Board chair Shradha Sharma, along with directors, management, and staff, have been publicly commended for driving this achievement.

What this means for Fiji’s aviation and economy: ATS’s continued profitability and job support, paired with the ATSET ownership model, signal a path toward inclusive growth where workers have a stake in the company’s success. The government’s ongoing collaboration with employees and unions could serve as a template for industrial relations across the sector, helping to sustain service levels, investment, and tourism recovery in the years ahead.

Summary: ATS’s 2024 performance reflects a strong recovery and efficient operations, with high on-time delivery, substantial flight and meal output, and a clear financial upswing. The opening of the ATSET building highlights a strategic move toward employee ownership and collaborative governance, reinforced by consistent government dividends and recognition of staff loyalty and contribution. Positive outlook remains, contingent on sustained demand in tourism and continued focus on workforce development and inclusive management.

Additional thoughts: This development could encourage broader adoption of employee-owned structures in Fiji’s services sectors, potentially boosting morale, retention, and productivity. Ongoing investment in training and modernization will be key to maintaining the momentum as global travel patterns evolve.