The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is pleased to announce the appointment of the new board of Directors for the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF). The appointments are effective 17 April 2023 and were made following an Expression of Interest and the subsequent selection process.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka welcomed the new Board, saying he is excited with the diversity of the Board given their wide experience, skills, and enthusiasm which will make a difference to the overall operations of CAAF given the importance of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, and in supporting our Tourism industry.

The new Chairperson of the CAAF Board is Eliki Kaumaitotoya who brings over 35 years of aviation experience including governance, leadership, education and training. Kaumaitotoya is the former Manager Quality Assurance of Air Terminal Services, and also a former aircraft engineer and licensed maintenance engineer for Qantas Airways Limited. The new CAAF Chairperson has a vision to foster and enhance public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the CAAF Board.

The other seven Board of Directors are:

1. James Sowane

James Sowane has 29 years of experience in the tourism industry and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Lincoln University in New Zealand. He previously served as an Electoral Commissioner and as a member of the Board of Fiji Visitors Bureau (now Tourism Fiji) and Society of Fiji Travel Associates. He was also recently the Chair of the Board of the Land Transport Authority.

Sowane is also the Managing Director of TEWAKA, a 100 percent Fijian-owned and operated tourism transport and destination management services company that he co-owns with his wife for the past 24 years.

2. Marigold Moody

Moody has a strong interest in the transport sector. She is legal counsel at FIJI Water and has previously been in private practice in Fiji and New Zealand. She brings with her 20 years of legal and strategic commercial experience that will enhance the management and operational efficiency of CAAF.

3. Peceli Baleikorocau

Re-appointed to the Board of CAAF is Peceli Baleikorocau who is currently a Consultant in Human Capital Management (HCM) & Development. He brings with him over 30 years of experience in the field of human capital planning, management and development. Baleikorocau has a Degree in Commerce and Board Director Governance Certification. He is also a motivational speaker in children and youth development and a community worker. Baleikorocau has been serving on the CAAF Board for the past 4 years.

4. George Tudreu

George Tudreu is currently the Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS) Safety Advisor of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO), an intergovernmental civil aviation authority that is responsible for aviation safety and security in ten states of Oceania.

He has 22 years of extensive experience in aviation management and regulatory oversight and has held various senior positions in the aviation sector including Operations Quality Manager for Air Pacific Limited, Flight Operations Inspector – Training and Standards and Head of the Personnel Licensing Section and Controller Air Safety of CAAF. He was also briefly Acting Chief Executive of CAAF in 2019. Tudreu holds a Bachelor of Aviation Degree from Massey University School of Aviation, New Zealand Diploma in Business Administration, multiple Aviation qualifications and certifications from the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as being a qualified pilot and Ab Initio flight instructor holding professional pilot licences of New Zealand and Fiji. He also holds a Multi Engine Instrument and Amphibian/Floatplane rated and an Australian RPAS Pilot (Drone) Licence.

5. Isikeli Tomi Waqa

Waqa is a seasoned management executive, internationally experienced and uniquely qualified as a professional pilot, trade union executive, business entrepreneur and community service leader and Minister. Waqa holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. He brings with him 45 years of aviation experience having held positions of trust, responsibility and leadership throughout his career as an executive and senior manager, a senior airline pilot, examiner and trainer and flight operations manager.

6. Ashneel Chand

Ashneel Chand is the Manager Finance of Fijian Holdings Limited (a company listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange). He started his career as Graduate Accountant and Senior Accountant at Ernst & Young then moved on to be Acting Manager Finance for Serendib Investment Limited (formerly known as Government Printery). He has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accounting and information system from the University of the South Pacific, Post Graduate Diploma in professional accounting from the Fiji National University and is currently pursuing CPA Australia (associate member). Chand’s extensive experience in financial accounting and auditing will be beneficial in enhancing legal financial compliance and practices at CAAF.

7. Mikaele Leawere

Mikaele Leawere is a former Member of Parliament (2015-2022). His passion lies with education, having held teaching and senior education officer positions in Government. Leawere holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Applied Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of the South Pacific and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management from the University of Sunshine Coast, Brisbane. Leawere is also a Board member of the Fiji Blind Society and has written two books called ‘Two in One’ and ‘Wiliwili (Ginti)’. Mr Leawere has almost 50 years of work experience, particularly in the public sector that will be beneficial to CAAF.

In acknowledging the outgoing members of the Board, Gavoka thanked the members for their service to CAAF and Fiji’s aviation industry, adding that their contribution has helped CAAF navigate through countless pivotal moments.