By RANOBA BAOA
The Pacific Directors of Civil Aviation meeting country representatives were told to keep up with the changing times and regulations with respect to unified International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Secretariat of the Pacific Community Economic Development Division director, John Hogan said: “There are new international requirement coming up from ICAO which will have a direct impact on all Pacific island countries, including Fiji.
“What Fiji and the Pacific need to be careful of is that new requirements have been put into place so that the countries themselves can actually cope with new changes.”
Mr Hogan made these comments on the sidelines of the secretariat’s fourth Pacific Directors Civil Aviation meeting held this week.
“Things that the Pacific islands need to be aware of includes regulations on processes for screening people,” he said.
“At the moment when you fly, one has to go through all the drama on getting through the scanning machine.
“If it’s actually necessary for the risk, there has to be more discussions over this issue.”
Areas of co-operation
Mr Hogan said there has to be more discussions perhaps on cargo documentation when people fly.
He suggested there should be more co-operation with the Oceania Customs Organisation.
This to ensure the processes and the supply chain in terms of air cargo and air freight are simple as possible, he added.
“We’ve also got to be aware that these changes and international regulation which ICAO is talking about are on some relaxation regulations on items,” he said.
Mr Hogan said items like nail clippers could be allowed in some airports but was not the case in others.
“The Pacific has to be aware of is what are the different changes, so I think that’s the biggest issue as well,” he stressed.