The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has clarified the status of the privately owned Skyward Pinehills airstrip, situated approximately 8.5 kilometers southeast of Nadi International Airport. Officials announced that the airstrip, which was constructed in 2019 for private recreational aviation, has never been registered and has not been utilized for any aircraft operations.
According to the Ministry, during the planning and development phases, the owners collaborated with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji and Fiji Airports to ensure compliance with aviation safety and airspace considerations. However, concerns regarding its proximity to Nadi International Airport prompted a technical assessment, which led to conditional approval granted in January 2020. This approval allowed for limited daytime operations, contingent upon strict conditions, including formal registration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF).
The Ministry noted that while the registration process was not completed, additional disruptions arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the airstrip remaining non-operational since its construction. The Ministry emphasized that the site is currently closed to aircraft operations until all registration requirements are fulfilled and approval is obtained from CAAF.
Importantly, the Ministry reassured the public that there is no aviation safety risk associated with the airstrip in its current state, as it has not been in use and remains under regulatory oversight. They reaffirmed the importance of adhering to civil aviation regulatory processes, stating that any future use of the airstrip will necessitate full compliance with national regulations and international aviation safety standards.
This situation underscores the importance of following regulatory guidelines in the aviation sector, particularly in a time when ensuring safety and compliance has never been more critical. The hope for the future is that proper procedures will pave the way for safe operational use of the airstrip, should the owners choose to pursue the necessary approvals.