Sun, Mar 09, 2003
Fiji Contract Up; No Word On Extension Or Replacement
Who will manage the Air Traffic Management Service out of Nadi
International Airport after the extended contract of Strategic Air
Services Limited comes to an end next week?
Good Question
Local aviation experts are now worried the delay in reaching a
resolution might cause major problems for the flying industry.
Those experts said the delay "sends the wrong signals about
Fiji’s ability and capability in handling traffic management
efficiently."
Fiji lost over $4.5 million in ATC revenue after Samoa and Tonga
pulled out of Fiji in favor of better terms and conditions offered
by Australia.
Minister Optimistic
Any further delay on Fiji could mean big problems
for managing airspace in the South Pacific. Fiji Public Enterprises
Permanent Secretary Niko Bulai said his department had to come to a
decision soon as the area of ATM services was very critical in
maintaining good relationships with other Pacific Island
countries.
Bulai said, while the government realised the extended
six-months term of SASL was just about up, he still hoped a
"win-win" agreement would be reached before the deadline.
"There is a sub-committee appointed by government to come up
with a solution best suited for all parties involved with ATC
services and I understand that a report is nearing completion,"
Bulai said.
SASL’s $3.5 million annual contract expired in March 2002
and it has since provided ATC services under an extended
contract.
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