The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji has clarified their position on air safety in a submission before the Public Accounts Committee regarding the audit of their 2016-2017 accounts.

Opposition PAC Member Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu questioned how safety standards implemented and overseen were been adhered too.

In particular, the Opposition MP questioned CAAF on a recent accident involving a helicopter in August that was involved in a medical evacuation that ended with the loss of three lives.

“That helicopter that got lost, it landed in Taveuni on the way back, I mean it was dark. We’re wondering how have we adhered to the standards that that you’ve just alluded too.”

CAAF Controller Air Safety George Tudreu while not commenting on the specifics of the accident which is still under investigation says it’s a fact of life that operators from time to time breach air regulations in place.

“We set the standards, we oversight, we regulate according to the standards which we’ve set. I suppose at the end of the day Sir, we stop short of holding the hands of the people that we certify.”

Tudreu adding that while Fiji is compliant with international standards, they work progressively to mitigate the challenges through education and awareness.