Enhancing air connectivity, infrastructural development, and sustainable growth are major priority areas of the aviation industry in Fiji and the Asia Pacific region.
These key target areas were highlighted by Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and the Middle East director general Stefano Baronci in an interview at the 3rd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM3) held in Suva last week.
He said from a Pacific airport’s perspective, Pacific islands needed to connect because air transport and aviation in general was the lifeline of the economic and social growth.
The other area linked to air connectivity is infrastructure development, and provision of sophisticated and refined services, which Mr Baronci said required long term planning.
The third key priority area is sustainable growth.
“Sustainable growth means finding the right balance between economic sustainability – you need to finance the investment that you have to plan,” Mr Baronci said in an interview.
“Environmental sustainability – the airport sector is the first one to commit to net zero emissions by 2050. This target has been shared by other aviation stakeholders, and it has been formalised at the last ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Assembly.”
He said ACI member countries had recognised the importance of reaching that target.
“How do we do that? From an airport perspective, what we must make sure the service on the ground can reach that level of due diligence from an environmental perspective.
“You do that through the electrification of the service. For example, on the ground you use vehicles that are hybrid or electrical, you also make sure to count on renewable energy and solar panels is the best way, especially for the region.
“And then, of course, you must create the right dialogue with the airlines to planning long term on how to reduce the emissions of the aircraft.
“This is certainly a much more difficult challenge to win because it requires tools like SAF – sustainable aviation fuel. The supply is still not there to meet the demand, the cost is still too high, and this is where partnership with supplier industries and authorities will be essential.”
Mr Baronci was in Suva earlier this week to attend the 3rd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM3), attended by Pacific aviation ministers and aviation stakeholders from the Pacific.
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated MARCH 28, 2025.
