Air Transport in Oceania

With the largest average EEZs per capita in the world, the Pacific Island Countries & Territories represent the most rural, remote populations on the planet. Continued connectivity and participation in the ongoing activities of global civilization require a responsive, coordinated approach to air transport service.

The extent to which air transport enables the rapid conveyance of passengers and cargo both into and out of the region, and between communities across Oceania was demonstrated by the sudden cessation of activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the monumental dependence of PICTs’ economies upon the foreign exchange fostered by international travel.

The international aviation industry has not evolved with Pacific Island service conditions in mind, with airport infrastructure requirements to accommodate larger scale, long range aircraft often contributing towards land use conflicts and creating bottlenecks where practical limitations on

Practical limitations upon airport infrastructure to accommodate the current generation of aircraft with range and capacity to service island communities often lead to conflicts over land use, bottlenecks in accessibility, and viability of investment in communities without sufficient connectivity to responsively participate in competitive global markets.

MCST seeks to support the nations of Oceania in considering the realities of an evolving aviation landscape, where a variety of regulatory, financial, and technological mechanisms will be required to deliver bespoke solutions that mitigate not only emissions from the air transport sector, but the marginalization of the region in the international aviation market.

With consideration of evolving air transport service considerations across both the fleet and infrastructure requirements in Rebbelib 2050: A Catalyst for Change, MCST has supported other nations of Oceania in the development of NDC investment plans & project pipelines for the decarbonization of national aviation operations. The MCST team has spent the past decade presenting upon applicable advancements in the air transport sector appropriate for adoption to Pacific Island contexts.

MCST seeks to ensure Pacific communities benefit from international aviation industry opportunities to effectively decarbonize alongside the sector globally while increasing relative regional connectivity.