Captain Lynda Tito Soars Again! Solomon Airlines Dash 8 Captain Back In Command

Captain Tito’s achievement was a heartfelt double celebration following her recovery from a cancer diagnosis last year and on attaining recertification last week, successfully completing line check training on the 30 March from Honiara to Munda and Gizo, 31 March from Honiara to Choiseul and her final line check test on 2 April from Honiara to Santa Cruz.

Since achieving her air transport pilot licence (ATPL) and joining Solomon Airlines 14 years ago in 2009, Captain Tito first flew as a full-time captain of the 19-seat De Havilland Twin Otter turbo-prop aircraft.

In 2017, flying a Twin Otter, Captain Tito and then First Officer Patricia Avosa made Solomon Islands aviation history when they operated Solomon Airlines first flight under command of an all-female crew.

In 2019 Captain Tito qualified to become a First Officer on the airline’s biggest domestic aircraft, a 36-seat De Havilland Dash-8 aircraft, which today operates between Honiara and key destinations including Auki, Munda, Gizo, Santa Cruz, Choiseul, and Kirakira.

A little over a year ago in January 2023, Captain Tito was presented with her Dash 8 Captain’s epaulettes, celebrated with a water cannon salute at Honiara International Airport to mark the occasion.

In the same year, the successful pilot and mother of two, received a cancer diagnosis requiring long term treatment in Brisbane.

Captain Tito said she had missed flying tremendously and was happy to be resuming her flying duties.

“I thought at one point that my wings would be clipped forever, so I am tremendously happy to re-joining our crew and wonderful Solomon Airlines family again,” she said.

“I am so proud to be back joining the team that supported my journey during my battle, and now as a cancer survivor, I am looking forward to giving back through my service to the company and serving our beloved Solomon Islands.

“I am deeply grateful to Solomon Airlines and to all of my colleagues for their commitment to standing by me financially and through their prayers.

“I hope that the story of my fight will shine hope and positivity for others, as an example of what can be achieved with moral support and through great teamwork, and that it may speak healing to anyone who is battling a similar fight,” she said.

“I am overjoyed to be certified to fly again and looking forward to welcoming our passengers on board and soaring over the Hapi Isles with them once more.