For the first time Solomon Island students have graduated from the Airport Fiji Limited Aviation Academy in Nadi.
The students were congratulated by a delegation of Solomon Island government officials led by its Minister of Civil Aviation the Honourable Walter Folotalu who had travelled to Nadi to attend the graduation.The graduation ceremony saw seven Solomon Islanders receive their certificates in Basic Air Traffic Control a 11 week, course that began on February 7. They will now return to their country as qualified Air Traffic Control Assistants. In addition two Tuvalu girls qualified as Flight Service Operators.
Four Solomon Islanders all studying towards qualifications as Air Traffic Controllers.
Commenting on the graduation, AFL CEO, Mr. Tony Gollin said that this is the first time overseas students have enrolled in the Airport Fiji Limited's Aviation Academy, "an indication of the recognition it is beginning to receive as a viable alternative to other overseas aviation schools,"
The Academy, located in the AFL compound at Nadi, was opened in 2010 ¬¬¬¬to address a shortage of air traffic controllers at AFL and was expanded to include training in aviation security and airport rescue and fire-fighting services.
Up to now, the Academy has graduated 80 Air Traffic Controllers who have not only satisfied AFL requirements but also are now working in New Zealand, Australia, USA and Canada.
"The Academy is only two years old so it is still early days in our development, but we have already expanded our curriculum to include airport fire-fighting and rescue services and security.
"These are all ICAO sanctioned courses which means when students graduate in their discipline they can work at any airport in the region," said Mr Gollin.
The AFL Aviation Academy is close to the airport control tower and Air Traffic Management Centre. This gives students access to the state of the art Aurora Air Traffic Management System as well as other airport facilities.
Source: Press Release, Airports Fiji Limited