The CEO of Fiji Link (FJA, Nadi) and Chief Customer Service Officer of Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) was arrested at Nadi International Airport on the weekend on a charge of failing to uphold the country's airline security program.
Shaenaz Voss was taken into custody on Saturday, April 22. According to Fijian Police, Voss was arrested regarding the unlawful carriage of firearms by bodyguards of the former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, on a scheduled flight from Suva to Labasa in October 2018. Voss is charged with breaching s.37 of the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994 and Regulation 20(2) of the Civil Aviation (Security) Regulation 1994. Voss was questioned and held over the weekend before appearing before a magistrate on Monday, April 24.
As CEO of the operating airline, prosecutors allege Voss had a responsibility to ensure Fiji's airline security program was enforced and weapons did not find their way into airline cabins. She has entered a plea of not guilty. According to her LinkedIn profile, Voss became the CEO of Fiji Link in 2015. She retained that role while also taking up the CCSO's role at Fiji Airways in January 2019. Fiji Link is the domestic arm of Fiji Airways and operates a fleet of ATR42-600, ATR72-600, and DHC-6-300s. A Fiji Airways spokesperson has confirmed to ch-aviation that Voss will retire from her roles on June 1.
Voss faced a local media scrum at the Nausori Magistrates Court on Monday, April 24, where Magistrate Shageeth Somarante granted her bail upon signing a FJD10,000 Fijian dollar (USD4,470) bond. Her brother, Steven Khan, and former Fiji Sports Commission Executive Chairman Peter Mazey also stood as sureties. Voss is required to surrender her passport, report to a police station once a month, and not interfere with witnesses. The matter is next listed for mention on June 28. Sakeo Raikaci, Fiji Police's Chief of Intelligence, Investigations, and Prosecution, told Fiji-based media that the matter will be handled fairly and without interference from senior police officers or political officials.
