Solomon Airlines first all-female crew takes the helm

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Making Solomon Islands aviation history, for the first time an all-female crew has taken command on a Solomon Airlines’ aircraft operating on the carrier’s domestic services.

The two pilots, Captain Linda Tito Owen and Frist Officer Patricia Avosa took to the skies last week at the helm of a Twin Otter aircraft operating on the carrier’s busy domestic schedules.

A Solomon Airlines spokesperson said the event was a benchmark moment for the carrier’s equal opportunity development for its female pilots, Captain Owen and First Officer Avosa’s joint success representing a major achievement especially in the context of a traditionally male dominated Melanesian environment.

Captain Owen and First Officer Avosa follow hard in the footsteps of New Zealander Captain Claudia Walding who became the first female pilot to take command of Solomon Airlines’ flagship Airbus A320 last year.

A statement from the Solomon Airlines’ Human Resources Department said the airline was immensely proud of all its female pilots.

“This further development is a major achievement and represents yet another milestone in Solomon Airlines’ gender empowerment effort,” the spokesperson said.

“Although females make up the majority of the work force within the tourism industry, the aviation industry is largely male dominated,” the spokesperson said.

“However, Solomon Airlines can proudly attest to the fact that it does undertake gender equality with vigour and enthusiasm as part of its overall human resource development strategy.”