Passenger charged with sexual assault of crew member

Virgin Australia is a major Australian airline that provides domestic and international flights. Recently, the airline made headlines as a crew member was involved in an alleged incident while traveling in Fiji. This has prompted a police investigation and raised concerns about the safety of aviation staff. Virgin Australia continues to be an important player in Australia's airline industry, focusing on improving travel experiences and ensuring safety for both passengers and crew. Photo: Colin Brown, Flickr

A man has been charged with the sexual assault and rape of a Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji.

The alleged incident occurred while the crew member was on duty on the way to her hotel. The charges have drawn attention to the need for enhanced safety measures for airline staff.

Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation into the case, which has raised serious concerns within the aviation community.

Local man is in custody

Fijian Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong confirmed that a local man is in custody in connection with the alleged assault, which occurred early on Wednesday morning, January 1. The 21-year-old victim, a Melbourne woman, had been separated from her crew during a night out in Martintar, a popular entertainment district in Nadi.

According to police records, the victim was reportedly attacked while heading to her hotel. In a separate incident, another crew member was robbed and injured. Investigations into that case are ongoing. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, facing two charges. Given the severity of the case, it could be referred to the High Court in Lautoka, where he may face more serious penalties if convicted.

Remain vigilant

Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka told the ABC that Fiji's cabinet was committed to strengthen security in Nadi.

–We have the tourism police, what we discover now is that we need to revamp that unit, he said.

Mr. Gavoka emphasized that while Fiji is generally considered a safe destination, it's important to remain vigilant in specific areas. He also noted that some regulations, such as reduced nightclub hours introduced last year, aim to balance safety with leisure.

–When you're on holidays, you don't want to make too many rules, people are here to relax, he explained, highlighting the country's approach to tourism and public safety.