Meet some of our frontline heroes for International Womens Day

The airline industry was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many ways, it was the industry’s frontline workers such as flight attendants, baggage handlers, check-in staff, and pilots who bore the brunt of the crisis. Solomon Airlines was no exception.

Sereima Forest, Moira Galao, and Florence Padabela are among our frontline women who played various key roles in their respective departments - Cabin Services, Cargo, and Flight Operations.   

Florence (pictured above), as one of our dedicated Flight Attendants and Cabin Crew, has seen no shortage of challenges like many across the industry, from being required to wear a full PPE suit on over 4 hours of flying, to spending a month away from her family whilst in mandatory quarantine, the mental strain that the changing restrictions bring, but Florence loves flying and nothing will stop her when duty calls.

Sereima (pictured below left) works as our Check-in Agent at our Domestic Operation Centre at Henderson International Airport in Honiara.  She ensures that our customers are checked in with proper travel documents, and keeps customers informed with accurate and timely flight information. In the current COVID-19 situation, she ensures customers coming into contact with our team and each other are complying with COVID-19 safe practices at all times - wearing masks and social distancing to ensure that our work colleagues and passengers do not risk catching the virus.

Moira (pictured above right) is one of our Cargo Officers based at Henderson Airport. With the Solomon Islands Government’s ban on domestic passenger travel, Moira and her team are dealing with an increased amount of cargo every day. At times, she is faced with disgruntled customers due to the stress that the restrictions have placed on the public. Her team ensures that irrespective of the challenges and frustrations experienced by many, all cargo is delivered to the Provinces. Despite, the current situation Moira is all smiling when trucks loaded with cargo dock outside her office.

Solomon Airlines values the work of all of our female employees of the company and especially the work of our frontline employees. Their health and safety are of the utmost importance. We continue to ensure that they are sufficiently supplied with masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, and protective equipment, ensuring open communication to discuss and resolve any issues that may arise. Solomon Airlines like any other airline around the globe has to deal with the challenges COVID-19 has brought us, and for a much longer period than ever expected. The airline has survived by putting in place mechanisms and working closely with staff to ensure the survival of the company. Whilst regular commercial flights are restricted, the airline has been busy procuring international charters, repatriation flights, and cargo operations to ensure that our aircraft remain in the skies.

We pay tribute to them this International Womens Day 2022. Tagio tumas to our staff for all your efforts.