AIRCRAFT

Aircrafts coming to Fiji from international destinations may unknowingly introduce or bring with them the world’s most devastating pests or disease pathogens which may affect Fiji’s agriculture sector, its unique environment and the livelihood of all Fijians. Therefore, all aircrafts arriving into Fiji need to meet a number of Biosecurity requirements before and upon arrival to ensure that Fiji’s pristine environment, the agriculture industry and people are protected from exotic and invasive pests and diseases.

Part 4 of the Biosecurity Act 2008 (“Part 4 –Vessel and Aircraft”) stipulates the conditions that all aircrafts must meet and these are briefly described below.

BEFORE ARRIVAL

All aircrafts arriving into Fiji from international destinations must proceed to the approved ports of entry in Fiji. These are the Nadi International Airport and Nausori International Airport respectively.

All airline operators or their BAF approved ground handling agent(s) must seek approval in advance from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) if the airline wants to operate outside of the approved ports of entry into Fiji.

Airline operators or the BAF approved ground handling agents have to notify BAF of the time of arrival and designated holding area for the in-bound aircraft at the selected port of entry at least 1 hour before the aircraft is due to arrive into Fiji.

ON ARRIVAL

The captain of the aircraft must proceed immediately with the aircraft to the designated holding area at the port of entry upon arrival. The captain of the aircraft or the BAF approved ground handling agent must make ”biosecurity arrival declaration” to BAF stating the number of crew on-board and declaring any regulated items the crew may be carrying by filling the crew declaration form. This form is mandatory.

The captain of the aircraft or BAF approved ground handling agent must also provide a passenger advice slip stating the number of passengers on board as well as a cargo manifest to advise the nature of cargo on board and the origin of the cargo. The captain of the aircraft or the BAF approved ground handling agent must also provide information on any live animals or plants on board, any illness on board which may affect any live animals or humans and any other documents and information which relates to the aircraft to facilitate Biosecurity clearance on arrival at the port of entry in Fiji.

The captain of the aircraft or its BAF approved ground handling agent must allow Biosecurity Officer(s) to board and inspect the aircraft for pests and biosecurity regulated items once all the passengers have disembarked.

The Biosecurity Officer may grant clearance if satisfied that the aircraft does not contain any biosecurity regulated pests or restricted items. The Biosecurity Officer may refuse clearance if there is reasonable ground to ascertain that the aircraft is infested or infected with biosecurity regulated pest or disease.

If the aircraft is found to be infected or infested with biosecurity regulated pest and/or disease, the aircraft will be ordered into the biosecurity port quarantine area once all authorizations have been sought by the Biosecurity Officer. This is necessary to allow biosecurity risk mitigation measures to be applied to the aircraft and/or cargo to contain the biosecurity regulated pest and/or disease on-board the aircraft at the port of entry. Please note biosecurity risk mitigation measures may vary depending on the type of pest(s) intercepted.

GARBAGE/REFUSE

The captain of the aircraft or its BAF approved ground handling agent should take necessary steps to place and secure all garbage generated in the aircraft in a suitable leak proof container and have it disposed lawfully under the supervision of Biosecurity Officers.

The captain of the aircraft or its BAF approved ground handling agent must abide by any lawful directive(s) given by the Biosecurity Officer in order to grant biosecurity clearance to the aircraft. All costs incurred for the biosecurity clearance of the aircraft must be borne by the airline operator or its BAF approved ground handling agent.

For further information or clarification please contact the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji via: phone 3312512, fax 3305043 or email info@baf.com.fj

Enquiries can also be made in person at any of the Biosecurity offices around Fiji.