Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation - P4A

💡Building the future of Pacific aviation through education
P4A was pleased to attend the launch of the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies (PCAS), a significant milestone in the Government of Fiji’s commitment to improving aviation training for the Pacific region.

P4A’s Executive Director James Ramsay said “We are committed to doing our part to build the Pacific aviation workforce. And we’re proud to work with Fiji National University to enhance its role in aviation training. We look forward to continuing the partnership under PCAS”.

PCAS will offer specialized short courses aimed at strengthening aviation training and professional development across Fiji and the Pacific. These include Human Factors, Safety Management Systems, Aviation Legislation, Aviation Lead Auditor, and Quality Assurance.

The Australian Government’s Australia-Pacific Partnership for Aviation (P4A) program works with Pacific partners to boost aviation skills through education and training to support safe, reliable, resilient and sustainable aviation across the region.

For more information about P4A please visit www.p4a.com.au

Air Navigation Service Providers from across the Pacific came together in Brisbane last month at the 21st Southwest Pacific Safety Forum, hosted by Airservices Australia and supported by the Australian Government through the Australia–Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) Program.

Representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru and New Caledonia engaged in constructive dialogue on key priorities including operational updates, safety data, and emerging risks such as cybersecurity. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Brisbane Air Traffic Service Centre, gaining valuable insights into advanced air traffic management systems.

As a key regional platform, the Southwest Pacific Safety Forum continues to strengthen collaboration among Air Navigation Service Providers, supporting improved safety outcomes, shared capability, and resilient air traffic services across the Pacific.

Through initiatives by Airservices Australia, supported by P4A, the Australian Government remains committed to working with Pacific partners to enhance aviation safety, sustain regional connectivity, and support alignment with international standards.

The Australian Government’s Australia-Pacific Partnership for Aviation (P4A) program works with Pacific partners to boost aviation skills through education and training to support safe, resilient and sustainable aviation across the region.

Click to read more details in post below! For more information on P4A, please visit www.p4a.com.au



Air New Zealand Fiji Airports Airports Vanuatu , Islands Airports Corporation Ltd , de l'Aviation Civile en Nouvelle-Calédonie (DAC-NC) / DGAC (French Civil Aviation), Qantas, Virgin Australia, Fiji Airways and Alliance Airlines, Transport Department - Civil Aviation, Land Transport

The Sāmoa Meteorological Service marked the completion of the Fagali’i Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) during Samoa’s Environment Week on Friday 22 May 2026.

The event brought together the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt; Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Meterology, Hon. Ale Vena Ale; Cabinet members; government representatives; environmental specialists; community leaders; and regional partners.

Delivered through the Australian Government-funded Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) program, the Fagali’i AWOS is supporting safer aviation decision making by providing continuous, real-time weather information for pilots, air traffic control and meteorological teams.

The system measures key weather conditions including wind, visibility, pressure and rainfall, helping reduce reliance on intermittent manual observations.

Delivered through close cooperation between the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Sāmoa Meteorological Service, the project combined Australian technical expertise with local operational knowledge and on-the-ground support.

With real-time data now available across operational locations, including Fagali’i Aerodrome, Faleolo Airport and Samoa Meteorological Service offices, the AWOS is helping strengthen the safety, reliability and resilience of air services in Samoa.

P4A is pleased to support Australia’s and Samoa’s partnership to strengthen aviation infrastructure across the Pacific.

Australian High Commission, Samoa

We are hiring! P4A is currently recruiting for a Senior Program Manager to be based in Nadi, Fiji. The Australia – Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) is an Australian Government initiative that supports aviation in the Pacific by enhancing safety, efficiency, and regional connectivity to promote sustainable development. The P4A program is delivered by Adam Smith International (Australia) on behalf of DFAT.
For more information and to apply please visit

WE ARE HIRING! We see Adam Smith International’s family of project staff and associates as our most important resource and have invested over two decades in building a cadre of project managers to support our teams in the field and light touch systems and procedures to ensure they can focus on technical challeng...

From aircraft parts to aircraft maintenance engineering ✈️

Bethany Bogi’s aviation journey began with PNG Air in Port Moresby, where she worked closely with the aircraft parts and components that help keep airline operations moving.
Now, through a P4A-supported Australia Awards Scholarship delivered in partnership with Aviation Australia, Bethany is studying a Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in Brisbane.

Her training will help build the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to progress towards becoming a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer.

For Bethany, the pathway is clear: return to Papua New Guinea, continue her career with PNG Air, and contribute to the future capability of the country’s aviation workforce.
Read Bethany’s story here: https://p4a.com.au/from-aircraft-parts-to-aircraft-maintenance-engineering-bethany-bogis-aviation-journey/
Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea Australia Awards

🎓Four Pacific scholars are now in Brisbane, pursuing their Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (CRICOS 110041J- EASA specializing in B1.1 Mechanical – Fixed Wings Gas Turbine Engines) at Aviation Australia and they're already making history for their communities.

Etienne Warimavute (Vanuatu), Nitasha Tade, Bethany Bogi (both PNG), and Joshua Ramanu (Fiji) commenced their two-year program on 13 April 2026. Between them, they bring diverse academic and industry backgrounds, from IT and technical records to MRO operations and carry clear ambitions for their aviation careers back home.

Etienne's goal is to return to Air Vanuatu. Joshua is working towards a future with Fiji Airways. Bethany and Nitasha plan to work as aircraft maintenance engineers for PNG Air. Each of them represents the next generation of Pacific aviation professionals.

We are proud to partner with Aviation Australia to support their journey. The Australian Government, through the Australia Pacific Partnership for Aviation (P4A) program, continues to work with Pacific partners to boost aviation skills through education and training to support safe, secure, resilient and sustainable aviation across the region.

Australian High Commission, Vanuatu Australian High Commission, Fiji Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea Australia Awards

For more information on P4A, please visit www.p4a.com.au

Pacific doctors are strengthening aviation medicine capability across the region.

Medical practitioners from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu gathered in Nadi for the Pacific Aviation Health Conference recently, supported through the partnership between the Australia–Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) and Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The conference supported doctors to upskill or maintain their qualifications to provide aviation medical examinations and certification for pilots, air traffic controllers and aircrew members.

Speaking at the conference, Lucy Bechtel, Assistant Executive Director of P4A, said, “Developing regional capacity through locally based, well-trained medical examiners supports regulatory compliance, improves access for aviation personnel, and strengthens national ownership of aviation safety outcomes.”

Dr Kate Manderson, Principal Medical Officer, Stakeholder Engagement Division, CASA, also highlighted the value of regional collaboration. “As colleagues in the Pacific we routinely collaborate across all medical specialties, so it’s a natural fit for us all to share our knowledge and skills in aerospace medicine as well.”

Through this partnership, P4A and CASA are supporting the people and systems that help keep Pacific aviation safe. By investing in aviation medicine capability, P4A is helping improve access to specialist medical certification, strengthen regulatory compliance, and support safer aviation outcomes across the region.

Read more here: https://p4a.com.au/pacific-doctors-strengthen-aviation-medicine-capability-in-nadi/

Pacific doctors strengthen aviation medicine capability in Nadi - P4A | Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation aviation medicine - Aviation medicine plays an important role in keeping Pacific aviation safe. Pilots, air traffic controllers, and aircrew members

Strong boards help build stronger aviation systems.

In Tonga, aviation leaders came together for three days of Board Governance Training designed for the realities of the Pacific aviation sector.

From 27–29 April 2026, board members and senior executives explored what good governance looks like in practice from clear decision-making and financial oversight, to risk, inclusive leadership, and environmental governance in the Pacific.

Delivered through the Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) program, the training was facilitated by Mayfield Group New Zealand and Elika Consulting Group,bringing together governance expertise with a Pacific voice and aviation context.

Opening the training, Tamika Underwood, First Secretary for Governance at the Australia in Tonga, reflected on why context matters, “While the fundamentals of good governance are no different in the Pacific, to Australia, New Zealand or elsewhere, the way in which principles can be understood or applied can be different.”

Since 2024, P4A has supported governance training across the Pacific for aviation and tourism leaders, helping strengthen board practices, sector planning and decision-making.

Through this work, P4A continues to support Pacific aviation leaders to make decisions that keep the sector safe, secure, resilient, inclusive and connected.

Congratulations to Roger Ngodrii Santos Jr from Palau on commencing a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management through the Australia Awards program. Roger is the first Australia Awards scholar from Palau supported by the Australia‑Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) program.

What inspired you to apply for the Australia Awards and choose aviation as your field of study? Although I always aspired to be a pilot, I chose Aviation Management through Australia Awards to pursue my long‑standing interest in aviation...👉Read more of his journey here https://p4a.com.au/meet-roger-ngodrii-santos-jr-first-p4a-supported-australia-awards-program-scholar-from-palau/

P4A is an Australian Government initiative which works with Pacific partners to boost aviation skills through education and training to support safe, secure, resilient and sustainable aviation across the region.



Australian Embassy, Palau

Meet Roger Ngodrii Santos Jr- First P4A Supported Australia Awards Program Scholar from Palau - P4A | Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation - Congratulations to Roger Ngodrii Santos Jr from Palau on commencing a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management through the Australia Awards program. Roger

🤝Collaboration for Sustainable, Safe and Reliable Aviation Services

The Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) Program is proud to partner with Airservices Australia to deliver technical assistance and training in the Pacific region. Read more here 👉https://p4a.com.au/collaboration-for-sustainable-safe-and-reliable-aviation-services/

P4A is an Australian Government initiative supporting Pacific governments and partners to build a safe, secure and sustainable aviation sector.