FPSA calls for inquiry; Fiji Airports says there is no grievance

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Fiji Public Service Association General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh speaks at the Air Terminal Services March in Nadi. Picture: Shayal Devi
Fiji Public Service Association General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh. Picture: FT FILE

THE Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) is calling for an inquiry into the dispute between air traffic controllers and Fiji Airports for the safety of the travelling public.

While responding to statements made by Fiji Airports last Friday, FPSA president Rajeshwar Singh said the company’s safety issues required a response to put matters into proper perspective.

“The statement by Fiji Airports over the past few days that air traffic management operations are normal is not true and that there have been no disruption to their schedule,” he claimed in a statement.

“The regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), has also come out to assert that contingency measures have been implemented into each other.”

Mr Singh said only the air traffic controllers (ATC) could provide information to pilots as required.

“It has been revealed that only five ATC officers are managing the situation and have worked continuously for the past six days.

“The inquiry should also investigate all operational matters in Nadi and Nausori airports and how the current dispute was handled by the executive chairman of Fiji Airports which ended into the current situation including the absence of the CEO’s appointment for a long time.”

Fiji Airports communication and public relations manager Christopher Chand said they had given a detailed statement to the media last Friday regarding a number of controllers taking co-ordinated leave to go on strike and it was difficult to argue with incorrect facts and lies by FPSA in the media.

“FPSA’s statements are incorrect and most irresponsible that our controllers have worked continuously for 6 days. It appears that FPSA wants its member controllers to remain on strike contrary to the strike being declared unlawful; and for air traffic services in Fiji to shut down so that the country comes to a halt,” Mr Chand said.

Fiji Airports also said there was no grievance or dispute.

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