Breaking barriers: Halofaki soars in aviation engineering

Silipa Halofaki has built an impressive career in aircraft reliability engineering in just a few years, progressing from an engineering intern to overseeing fleet reliability activities for Fiji Airways Group.

Today she serves as an Aircraft Reliability Engineer in the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) for our national airline – Fiji Airways.

The 27-year-old is responsible for ensuring the airworthiness, reliability, and operational performance of the airline’s fleet, which includes Airbus A350-900, A330-300, A330-200, Boeing 737-8, Boeing 737-800, ATR72-600, ATR42-600, and DHC6-400 aircraft.

Originally from Fulaga in Lau, she has maternal links to Kadavu.

She attended Gospel Primary School and Alfriston College in Auckland, New Zealand, before returning to Fiji to attend the University of South Pacific.

Before joining Fiji Airways, Ms Halofaki gained engineering experience with Pacific Engineering Projects, where he worked as an Engineering Intern from December 2020 to January 2021. During her internship, she assisted project management engineers with computer-aided design (CAD) drawings, site inspections, and equipment testing.

Committed to continuous professional development, Ms Halofaki completed a range of specialised aviation training programmes.

Academically, she graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of the South Pacific in 2024. Her degree is accredited under the Washington Accord, and during her studies, she published a conference paper on agile manufacturing. She is also a Graduate Member of Engineers Australia.

In May 2026, she was appointed to oversee fleet reliability activities across the Fiji Airways Group.

Her role involves monitoring aircraft performance, identifying reliability trends, managing component reliability programmes, investigating technical delays and disruptions, supporting Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) compliance, and implementing corrective actions to improve dispatch reliability, operational performance, and fleet availability.

In December 2023, she joined the airline as an engineer trainee.

During this period, she assisted the Technical Services Engineering team in mechanical systems, aircraft reliability, maintenance programmes, and power plant engineering while compiling monthly ETOPS reports.

A year later, she progressed to the Engineering Graduate Trainee programme, where she played a key role in the ATR Critical Systems Review and component reliability activities across the airline’s ATR fleet.

She also reviewed maintenance programmes and OEM technical literature for Airbus A330, A350, DHC6-400 and Boeing 737 aircraft. Her responsibilities included spearheading landing gear and engine limited verification across multiple fleets and gaining practical experience in aircraft maintenance planning, including overseeing the DHC6-400 fleet from August to November 2025.

With experience spanning aircraft reliability engineering, maintenance programme support, technical investigations, and fleet performance analysis across Airbus, Boeing, and ATR aircraft, Ms Halofaki has established herself as one of Fiji’s emerging aviation engineering professionals, contributing to the continued safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of the national airline’s fleet.

You have recently graduated. Was it everything you expected?

As a young graduate, one of the biggest warnings we received at university was about the gender imbalance in the industry. When I entered the workforce, that was the main issue on my mind. It was something I was constantly aware of.

What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the age gap. You’re not just working with young men. You’re also working with older men who have spent years in the industry. They know the ropes; they’ve tied the ropes and, in some cases, they helped build the industry.

As a young graduate, and especially as a young woman, it can be difficult to have fresh ideas heard and accepted by people who have been in the industry for so long.

Having entered the workforce, how is that transition going?

I really struggled during my first few years as a trainee. But I’m grateful I had mentors, both men and women at Fiji Airways.

I’m especially thankful to the managers and supervisors who were willing to support me and help me grow.

At the moment, I’m the only woman in my department. I work in Technical Services, so I don’t work directly on aircraft. I don’t get my hands greasy or dirty.

I graduated from the University of the South Pacific and my role is on the engineering support side. I focus on reliability monitoring, ensuring the aircraft are reliable and safe to fly.

I’m grateful that the men I work with are supportive, encouraging and willing to share their knowledge. They’ve helped me grow in a field where there are very few women.

What are some of the skills that have been valuable to you so far as an engineer?

Making informed decisions on the spot is one of the most important skills an engineer can have.

Every decision you make has consequences. Whether the answer is yes or no, every choice comes with a cost. That’s why every decision should be made with a clear understanding of whether you’re prepared to accept the outcome.

The only way to make an informed decision is to do your research, gather all the relevant data and fully understand the situation before taking the next step.

For me, that’s one of the most important qualities an engineer should have.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to students who are currently studying engineering?

There really shouldn’t be a reason why you wouldn’t at least give it a try.

I originally studied physics and mathematics at the University of the South Pacific, where I completed a Bachelor of Physics and Mathematics.

About two years into the programme, I realised it wasn’t for me. That’s when I decided to cross-credit into engineering.

Engineering is essentially applied to physics. It is built on physics and mathematics, but it also allows you to apply those concepts to real-life problems.

Why engineering? Does it make a difference as a profession?

One of the most rewarding parts of engineering is knowing that what you do has a real impact on people, communities, and everyday life.

To have a career where you can make a difference in society and in your community is something you can’t put a price on.

It can be a daunting world, especially for women entering a traditionally male-dominated field. But if this is the path you’ve chosen, stay committed and see it through.

I want to encourage young girls to give it a chance because, at the end of the day, no matter how small my role may seem, I know it makes a difference. Even a small contribution can go a long way.

To all the girls considering a career in engineering, don’t be afraid to reach out. I’d be more than happy to share my experience, offer guidance, and support you as you explore where the journey might take you.