Fiji does not control Vanuatu’s airspace but only manages aircraft flying through it because Vanuatu lacks the technical facilities to provide upper air traffic control services.

The clarification was made during a Parliamentary Public Hearing on the Economy and Foreign Policy after concerns were raised about Vanuatu’s airspace and the revenue generated from aircraft passing through it.

Flight Operations Manager for Civil Aviation Wilfred Makaba said there is often public misunderstanding about Fiji’s role.

“Fiji does not control Vanuatu’s airspace. Fiji only controls aircraft passing through our airspace. We often see comments on social media claiming someone else controls our airspace, but that is not true. The airspace belongs to Vanuatu. Because we do not yet have the facilities to safely provide air traffic control services at that level, Fiji communicates with aircraft on our behalf while they are passing through.”

The hearing also heard that Vanuatu currently receives around VT30 million annually through a revenue-sharing arrangement with Airports Fiji Limited for providing air traffic management services.

Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities Xavier Harry said Vanuatu, together with Kiribati and Tuvalu, each receive a 2.5 per cent share under an agreement negotiated about a decade ago.

He said the Government is now discussing whether the current arrangement should be reviewed.

“The 2.5 per cent was negotiated several years ago, probably around 10 years ago, and that value remains today. Since taking office, we have been working with the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Vanuatu Limited to review whether this percentage reflects the value of our airspace. If Vanuatu can generate enough revenue in the future, it could also justify investing in the equipment needed to manage our own upper airspace.”

Air Navigation Service Manager Pelensy Lulu confirmed that Airports Fiji Limited returns the agreed share of air traffic management revenue to the Vanuatu Government.

“There is a 2.5 per cent remittance that Airports Fiji returns to the Government of Vanuatu for air traffic management services. A committee within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities is also reviewing the arrangement and the revenue figures.”

Government officials say discussions with Fiji are continuing as Vanuatu explores increasing its share of airspace revenue while assessing future investment that could eventually allow the country to independently manage its upper airspace.