First female controller appointed for Fiji Airports Aviation Academy

A local woman who aspired to become a doctor but took a different career path upon completing high school, to become an air traffic controller, has been appointed the first female controller for the Fiji Airports Aviation Academy (FAAA).

Elizabeth Melba Brown’s appointment came at a critical time, marking three decades of her air traffic control career, and at a time when Fiji Airports is working towards fulfilling its strategic vision of becoming the World-Class Aviation Hub for the Blue Pacific.

Her journey in aviation began in 1996, when she joined as an Air Traffic Control Assistant, and by 2000, she had earned her first Air Traffic Control licence as an Aerodrome Controller, later expanding her expertise with Approach Control and Area/Oceanic ratings.

A week into her appointment, the seasoned controller has already mapped out plans to enhance and improve infrastructure and training processes, particularly simulation capability and learning environments, to support effective, modern training delivery at the academy facility, located on Delana Road within the Fiji Airports compound.

Elizabeth Melba Brown, has been appointed the first female controller for the Fiji Airports Aviation Academy (FAAA)

Ms Elizabeth was promoted to Air Traffic Management Coordinator in 2015 and has been serving as Acting Controller of the Fiji Airports Aviation Academy since May 2024.

Elizabeth now manages the very academy and familiar territory that shaped her aspirations to become an air traffic controller.
As an Air Traffic Controller, she is one of the quiet achievers at Fiji Airports who is responsible for the management and the safe and efficient flow of thousands of aircraft daily within the Nadi Flight Information Region airspace.

In her current role as Controller, Elizabeth oversees the planning and delivery of ICAO-accredited Air Traffic Control training programmes, manages instructors and resources, and ensures full regulatory compliance with the aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF).

She is proud knowing that the training delivered at the academy directly impacts aviation safety, as every officer trained contributes to protecting lives and maintaining safe skies.

“Professionally, this appointment marks an important milestone following many years of experience in air traffic management,” Ms Elizabeth said.

“It provides an opportunity to contribute at a strategic level to aviation safety, workforce development, and capacity building.

“On a personal level, the appointment is deeply meaningful. The Aviation Academy has been central to my career journey, and being entrusted with this role is both an honour and a responsibility.”

Fiji Airports Chief Executive Mesake Nawari said Elizabeth Brown’s appointment as the first woman Controller of the Fiji Airports Aviation Academy is a proud and defining milestone for Fiji Airports.

“This latest appointment reflects our commitment to excellence, inclusive leadership, and the advancement of women in aviation.” Mr Nawari said.

“It also reinforces our strategic vision to build a world-class academy that strengthens safety and capability across the Blue Pacific,” Mr Nawari said.

Following her appointment, Ms Elizabeth shared that her vision aligns with Fiji Airports’ strategic direction: working closely with the Manager Fiji Airports Aviation Academy (FAAA) to establish the FAAA as a Centre of Excellence for aviation training in the Blue Pacific, while maintaining high training standards, a strong safety culture, and close alignment with ICAO and CAAF regulatory requirements.

She also said the academy would not only continue producing competent and safety-focused aviation professionals but would also expand its role as a regional training hub, supporting capacity-building for Pacific Island States while meeting Fiji Airports’ operational and strategic needs.

Originally from Nukubalavu, Savusavu, with maternal links to Waisomo, Tavuki in Kadavu, Elizabeth says her appointment is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal achievement.

“I am equally motivated by seeing people grow — trainees building confidence, instructors developing professionally, and the academy continuing to evolve.

“That sense of purpose makes the responsibility both meaningful and rewarding.

In her first year as Controller, Ms Elizabeth hopes to strengthen regulatory compliance and accreditation of ATC courses, enhance training governance, ensure all training programs and systems remain fully aligned with ICAO standards, CAAF requirements and the Higher Education Commission Fiji’s expectations.

She also believed that instructor development, ensuring instructors are adequately supported, proper documentation, quality assurance processes, assessment standards, and record-keeping are critical to raising academic standards at the academy.

“Training standards and safety culture go hand in hand and can be strengthened by encouraging open reporting, just culture, and continuous improvement, where trainees and instructors feel supported to speak up and learn from lessons identified.

“We will also continue to maintain strong engagement with operations, CAAF, and other stakeholders so training remains operationally relevant and safety driven.

“I hope my appointment demonstrates that aviation is a field where women can lead, influence, and thrive.

“Within the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Department, we already have strong female professionals such as Ms Kalesi Cagi, Ms Alini Ravitu, and Ms Kalusi Raloka, to name a few, whose contributions continue to strengthen our teams and operations.”

Ms Elizabeth says aviation careers are demanding but are also highly rewarding, and leadership roles are achievable through dedication, competence, and resilience.

“I hope to encourage young women to pursue careers in aviation with confidence and to see leadership as a realistic and attainable goal.”

“I will also continue to work closely with the team to review and update training programs to reflect emerging technology and evolving ICAO standards.

“It’s also vital that we invest in instructor upskilling to ensure trainers remain current and competent with new systems and methodologies.

“All in all, we will continue to maintain strong regional and international partnerships to remain informed of best practices and global trends.”