Air New Zealand has expressed concerns at what it said are sensationalised media reports of a near mid air collision between its aircraft and a Virgin Australia airliner over Fiji airspace on May 7th.

Following the reports, a spokesperson for Air New Zealand Lara Harrison confirmed to Fijivillage that last month an Air New Zealand B767 was cleared by Nadi Air Traffic Control for descent into Nadi International Airport. 

Harrison said a V Australia flight was operating from Brisbane to Los Angeles, passing through Nadi airspace at the time.

She said both aircraft were in constant communication with Nadi Air Traffic Control and were aware of each other's location.

She stressed that there was never risk of a collision, contrary to reports on the front page of the Fiji Times today.

Harrison said the pilots onboard both aircraft followed standard operating procedures to ensure separation between each aircraft was maintained, with the V Australia aircraft passing behind and above the Air New Zealand aircraft.

She also confirmed that as a procedure, Air New Zealand has been in discussions with Nadi Air Traffic Control as to why ATC gave clearance for both aircraft to be in a similar vicinity of each other.

Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji CEO Netava Waqa told Fijivillage that all they can say at this stage is that CAAFI is looking into the matter to respond to the discussions with the two airliners.

The Fiji Times reported today that a major investigation is underway after a V Australia Boeing 777 and an Air New Zealand 767 narrowly missed a mid air collision in Fiji airspace on May 7th and were only seconds away from disaster.