The Asia-Pacific region has become one of the biggest engagement market in the world and is attracting more than a million passengers a year.

This was the comment made by the Solicitor General Sharvada Sharma who spoke on behalf of the Attorney General at the 55th  Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and the Pacific region which was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort in Nadi.

He says the challenge on the aviation industry have undoubtedly increased and varies from collaboration between the states civil aviation administrators and aviation industry for more proactive action for a safe secure and sustainable civil aviation.

The theme of this conference is collaboration in harmonization for safe secure and sustainable aviation in the asia pacific region.

He says collaboration and harmonization therefore is necessary and would also facilitate the high labor mobility of the aviation personnel and skills for the region.

Sharma added that we require sustainable aviation given that aviation is one of the fastest growing contributors of carbon emissions.

He says it is critically important to address the effects of climate change.

90% of Fiji’s tourists arrive by air transport.

Civil aviation is an integral part of the Fijian economy and transports over 90 percent of foreign visitors to Fiji, thus playing a central role in Fiji's tourism, the country's largest industry and source of employment.

Fiji Airways flies to over 20 international destinations with Fiji being a major transit hub for the South Pacific.

A total of 43 states and 11 international organizations will be present at the conference.

The conference is a significant aviation regional forum for the collaboration amongst regional Directors General and Chief Executive Officers of civil aviation in the Asia Pacific region.

The conference was is being attended by 300 delegates.