Fiji Airways’ First Female As Widebody Aircraft Captain
Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer Andre Viljoen described Captain Seini Cornish’s progress as being Fiji’s first ever female to command a widebody aircraft, historic and remarkable.
“This is a proud day for all of us at Fiji Airways,” Mr Viljoen said.
“Captain Cornish’s promotion to A330 command is a trailblasing achievement for women in aviation, not just in Fiji but the South Pacific as well.”
“Already a highly accomplished pilot, Captain Cornish continues to shatter the glass ceiling,” he said.
He said the promotion was a momentous occasion.
“We’re able to progress qualification and training of our highly capable Fijian pilots right here at home because the Full Flight Simulators and facilities at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy.”
Captain Seini Koroitamana Cornish Becomes First Female A330 Captain For Fiji Airways
“Without the Academy and its simulators, we would have to send Seini and other pilots abroad, which would be logistically next to impossible given the border restrictions in place.”
“We are obviously delighted that the Academy is already contributing to milestone achievements like this one for Captain Koroitamana Cornish.”
“What a statement for gender quality and what a great message.”
Captain Cornish
Captain Cornish was both excited and humbled at this achievement.
“Achieving the command position on the A330 is really just the beginning of this new journey.
“I look forward to the challengÂes that come with commanding a wide-body aircraft.”
Captain Cornish started her qualification process for command in March 2021, undertaking the required simulator sessions at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy under the guidance of Fiji Airways’ highly qualified Check and Training Captains.
She undertook her required ‘line’ checks over 18 sectors on the Fiji Airways A330 aircraft.
She is now qualified as to be Pilot-in-Command for the Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft types in the Fiji Airways wide body fleet.
Captain Koroitamana Cornish thanked her family for their support.
She also paid tribute to her late father, the late Jone Koroitamana, who was a former chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji CAAF.
“My father naturally was my biggest inspiration because of his aviation background, experience and understanding.”
“My mother provided the muchneeded push in my early years.”
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“She is a wise and strong woman whose strength and guiding hand has always inspired our family to push through life’s challenges.”
“And as the youngest in my family, my older siblings have been my greatest support in my journey,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fiji Airways chief pilot and executive manager flight operations, Captain Aaron Dean said: “This is just reward for Captain Koroitamana Cornish’s perseverance.
“She has rose through the ranks as a First Officer on the narrowbody aircraft and now becomes our first widebody aircraft captain.”
“She has most definitely earned it,” Captain Dean said.
“We can provide all the training and all the opportunities but ultimately it’s up to the individual on how to they take those opportunities.”
Captain Koroitamana Cornish has been with Fiji Airways for 16 years, starting in 2005 as a Second Officer on the Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
Over the years, she has progressed to a First Officer on the Boeing 737, Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
She has recently been Captain on the narrowbody Boeing 737 aircraft.
Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj
