NADI, Fiji – 17 July 2026: Under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), airlines including Fiji Airways must offset emissions on eligible international routes. Rather than simply purchasing credits from overseas markets, Fiji Airways is exploring whether high-integrity carbon projects developed within Fiji where conservation and community-based initiatives are already rooted could meet CORSIA's requirements while keeping the benefits at home.
To build the capability for this, Fiji Airways hosted Fiji's first aviation-focused Carbon Market Training, held at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy. The IATA-led training brought together the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, and Fiji Airways teams across sustainability, government affairs, and operations, a deliberate mix aimed at building shared understanding across regulators and industry, not just within one team.
The training supports the airline's Maroroya Sustainability Strategy; Maroroya meaning "to protect" in Fijian which guides Fiji Airways' focus on protecting land, ocean and communities, while exploring how carbon markets can add to the airline’s conservations efforts.
The airline runs several community-linked environmental initiatives that sit alongside its formal carbon-offsetting work. Its "Every Take-Off, One Tree" programme has planted a mangrove seedling for every international departure, with more than 101,000 trees planted to date; proceeds from seedling sales go to local women's and youth groups. Rather than a one-for-one offset of a departure's emissions, the programme is a long-term investment in coastal restoration and community benefit.
Separately, in partnership with TrashBoom Pacific and the Nadi Town Council, the airline has sponsored two river barrier installations capturing around 114 kg of waste a month, nearly 70% of it plastic, before it reaches the ocean.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Scurrah, said:
"This training is about making sure Fiji isn't just meeting an international obligation but building the local capability to shape how that obligation is met through projects that protect our environment and benefit our communities at the same time”.
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mr. Apisai Rinamalo, said:
"The IATA Aviation-focused Carbon Markets Training provided the Ministry of Forestry with an excellent opportunity to strengthen our understanding of CORSIA's market requirements and standards. Tourism is a major contributor to Fiji's economy, and developing a carbon trading partnership with Fiji Airways would enable the forestry sector to directly support the aviation and tourism industries in achieving their Net Zero ambitions. Through the Ministry's National Emission Reduction Programme, Fiji has generated high-integrity emission reduction units, creating an opportunity to support Fiji Airways' CORSIA compliance while promoting sustainable forest management and delivering climate and socio-economic benefits for Fiji."
CAAF Executive Manager Standards and Compliance, Ms Sereima Bolanavatu, said:
"This training could not have come at a more critical time. As we approach CORSIA's mandatory phase, it is essential that all stakeholders fully understand our offsetting and emissions reduction obligations. I commend Fiji Airways for this initiative and look forward to our continued partnership as we navigate this transition together."
Looking ahead, participants will work with government ministries to explore the development of CORSIA-eligible carbon projects in Fiji. Fiji Airways carries Fiji's climate promise to the world, and building this capability at home is how we intend to keep it.
Source: Fiji Airways