We Go by Faith: Airline Captain Yuen

We go by faith, says Captain Richard Yuen, who alongside Captain Seini Cornish, Captain Etika Tuisue, and Captain Mukesh Patel manned the Fiji Airways special flight 2394 from Hong Kong to and out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.

They were able to repatriate 198 Fijians, 13 Fijian students studying in Israel and foreign nationals from Israel who were part of the Feast of the Tabernacle celebration within a turnaround time of two hours.

“Definitely a very memorable experience, not only for me but for the operating crew,” Capt Yuen said.

“I have flown a couple of flights to the Middle East, but first time to land in Israel, also in a war zone. The amazing thing is that we go by faith. Glory goes to God.”

He said they were constantly in touch with the airline headquarters in Nadi during the trip.

“The crew was very confident. We had to depart before it got dark because based on the information; we got a lot of activities that happen at night. We had to go in a minimum turn, get all onboard, quickly refuel and out straight away. We managed to depart after sunset. Then all went to plan.”

He shared that when they landed in Nadi yesterday, it was a proud moment not only for the airline, but for Fiji as a country.

He believes that there is a lot of potential, if an opportunity presents itself, for the national airline to fly to the Middle East.

Captain Richard Yuen. Photo: Leon Lord

“Having two flights already and going to a war zone and to bring people out. We have really established ourselves as an airline. Now, with five-star airlines with the expansion currently having. The potential is there for us to fly into the Middle East.”

Only Capt Yuen returned home, while the three others are resting in Hong Kong.

Captain Blair Brownlee together with first officer Keni Rokotunidau, and first officer Taryn Maharaj, flew the aircraft from Hong Kong to Nadi.

Captain Blair saluted his colleagues for the task they took.

“Very successful and to see all Fijians are back,” he said.

“This is unique. I am from New Zealand and Fiji has done something unique. Very proud for the Pacific nations. It is very positive to do that for the country. It is a really hard situation in Israel and in Gaza.”

Fiji Airways chief executive officer (CEO) Andre Viljoen said the pilots and cabin crew needed to be acknowledged for their world-class expertise and manifest courage in undertaking a historic and unprecedented mission into an uncertain situation.

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