Guns on flights

Guns in cockpit

IF the “guns in cockpit” allegation (FT 14/3) is true, then heads must roll and a thorough investigation carried out immediately. It is a serious matter and potentially damaging the aviation industry. Given the frequency of travel of the former attorney-general, aviation security and safety laws must have been breached a number of times.

AJAI KUMAR

Nadi

Heads should roll

WHAT made the previous attorneygeneral so entitled that his bodyguards were permitted to carry firearms on FijiLink domestic flights? (FT 14/03).

Why the privileged conduct by our national airline during the latter’s 16-year reign? What, or who was Aiyaz fearful of, that he required armed personnel on domestic flights?

With such heedless acts and with the potential to compromise the safety and security of other onboard passengers, I firmly believe that the Fiji Airways CEO should immediately be given the boot for tactlessly allowing the breach of such stringent civil aviation laws. Absolutely appalling and disgraceful! Heads should definitely roll on this matter of national concern.

NISHANT SINGH

Lautoka

Waiting for answers

OK, Guns & Roses I know. They’re a great band. But guns on a domestic flight and without proper approval? Seriously bro?

Either someone’s taken leave of their senses or they’re so afraid they need bodyguards with guns to reassure themselves they’re safe.

Kemudou bro. This is Fiji. Not the wild West. So who’s going to be the fall guy for this nonsense? And is anyone going to face the music for the countless times it’s probably happened? Waiting with bated breath for sound answers. COLIN DEOKI

Australia

‘Tumaar gun’

YOU don’t say. He was that afraid? That too in a space he literally controlled? Unkol Allen would have said: “Tumaar gun.”

MANOJ LAL Patel

Drasa Ave, Lautoka

Pathetic response

FIJI Airways CEO Andre Viljoen’s response to The Fiji Times’ legitimate query in the public interest “on allegations that bodyguards of former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum were allowed to carry guns on FijiLink domestic flights without approval from Civil Aviation Authority” ( FT 14/3 ) is an insult to the intelligence of the Fijian public. It’s a pathetic attempt to gloss over a very serious public concern.

It sounds like the kind of phenomenon we associate with a banana republic where the rulers can do pretty much whatever they fancy without any regard to the rule of law. Was it coincidental that Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was also the minister for civil aviation?

RAJEND NAIDU

Sydney, Australia

Truth comes out

IF found to be true, The Fiji Times (14/3), is to be thanked. This is blockbusting news. How is it remotely possible?

Under international civil aviation laws, no guns can be carried onboard any aircraft without express prior written approval from civil aviation authorities. Is this a truer case of being “drunk with power?” I shudder. Scary stuff unfolding. How many in the top echelons of executive authority in Nadi Airport, and other domestic airports, simply turned a deaf ear and blind eye, and looked the other way? Is this the very tip of the proverbial iceberg revealing itself? The truth always finds its way out.

RONNIE CHANG

Martintar, Nadi

Let the truth emerge

THE headline of The Fiji Times “Who let the guns in” came as a shocking revelation.

From the time I saw the preview posted by editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley, on his social media account, I was desperately waiting for the e-edition and print edition in order to read the entire story.

Finally, the CAAF and Fiji Airways staff have broken their five-week long silence and revealed concealed information. How many ministers in the previous government had bodyguards with firearms?

According to what I understand, if someone went as far as to have armed bodyguards present in public and on flights, it indicates that he was concerned for his safety. That would further suggest that he might have committed a number of bad deeds for which he was feeling self-conscious.

Additionally, having firearms in the cockpit jeopardised the security of regular passengers on those flights.

This is a violation of aviation protocol and an abuse of office because the CAAF did not provide written authorisation. I think the accused people should be the subject of an investigation. After all, taxpayer funds were used to pay for the armed bodyguards.

We appreciate The Fiji Times’ objective, accurate, unbiased and fair news reporting. Just a humble request to Fred Wesley and his dedicated team to find out if more ministers in the previous government were using armed bodyguards at the expense of taxpayers.

Let the truth of the matter emerge!

DINESH KUMAR Ba

We need the truth

I AM shocked to learn that the bodyguards for the former attorney-general and Minister of Economy Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum were allowed to carry guns onto Fiji Link domestic flights when he was a passenger. (FT 14/03/2023)

Now there are two sides of the story; first from the Fiji Airways chief executive officer Andre Viljoen who said that Fiji Airways has regulatory approved processes and procedures for carrying dangerous goods, in this case guns, and they are followed strictly in every instance.

In other words, Mr Viljoen is saying that the guns were indeed carried by Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s bodyguards onto Fiji Link domestic flights and it has followed all procedures in doing so.

The other side of the story is from the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) who told The Fiji Times that it issued no approval for firearms to be carried for the purposes of Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s travel.

Now I believe the Fiji public needs to learn about the truth and I request the police to treat this case urgently for it has become a matter of public interest.

Again, I am really stunned to learn about guns on planes, especially on domestic flights.

KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua