Brave Flight Controller Killed in Earthquake Honoured in Nadi
Twenty-one-year-old Indonesian air traffic controller Anthonius Gunawan Agung, who lost his life while guiding a fully loaded airliner, during the height of the earthquake last month, was honoured in Nadi yesterday.
Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Fang Liu presented a plaque to the Indonesian Civil Aviation Authority in memory of Mr Agung.
It was presented during the first day of the 55th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and the Pacific Region at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Nadi. Mr Agung was on duty at the airport when the massive 7.5 earthquake struck the Central Sulawesi capital. While the control tower began crumbling, instead of immediately vacating his post for personal safety, Mr Angus chose to wait until the Batik Air Jet flight 6321, which was packed with passengers was safely airborne under his guidance.
This was cited as a demonstration of his utmost commitment to aviation safety.
Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 1 certification
Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary for Civil Aviation Sharvada Sharma in his opening address at the conference said the new Nadi International Airport was modernsied to ensure that not only Fijians but people all over the world travelling to or through Fiji experience an international standard facility. Nadi International Airport has received Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 1 certification from the Airports Council International. This accreditation recogput nises the efforts in by Fiji Airports to re- duce their carbon emissions and Fiji Airports is working to- wards achieving level 2 certification for the Nadi Airport.
“Passenger expectation is important for modern airports. In this regard and to streamline travel, Fiji has also upgraded its security measures to ensure our borders are protected.” “Trainings and capacity building in conjunction with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) and other accredited organisations has brought a totally new culture into how aviation security is measured.” Mr Sharma said it was vital that passengers felt safe and secure while travelling to Fiji, as Fiji not only relies on tourism but the whole of the Pacific.
He added the increase in aviation terrorism and security around the world had ensured that security was not to be compromised. He told the conference the Fijian Government was investing in the Fijian Aviation Academy project by Fiji Airways as an example of Fiji’s commitment towards the aviation sector in Fiji and to address the emerging issue of global shortage of skilled aviation professions. The Academy was estimated to be completed by mid-2019 and will offer Fiji and the Asia Pacific Region opportunities to have highly skilled pilots trained locally.