Venkat Raman
Auckland, November 6, 2021
Fiji Airways has announced the promotion of its first female to command a widebody aircraft.
Captain Seini Koroitamana Cornish has progressed as a Fiji Airways A330 aircraft Captain, becoming the first female in the National Airline’s 70-year history to do so.
Captain Cornish was both excited and humbled at this achievement.
“Achieving the command position on the A330 is just the beginning of this new journey. I look forward to the challenges that come with commanding a wide-body aircraft,” she said.
A steady climb from take-off
Captain 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.
She 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 to be Pilot-in-Command for the Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft types in the Fiji Airways widebody fleet.
Tribute to parents
Thanking her family for their support, Captain Cornish paid tribute to her late father Jone Koroitamana, who was Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji.
“My father was my biggest inspiration because of his aviation background, experience and understanding. My mother provided the much-needed push in my early years. 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 the greatest support in my journey,” she said.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Andre Viljoen said that it was a proud moment for the airline.
“Progressing any Fijian into a command position of any aircraft is special but having our first female Captain of a widebody aircraft is historic and remarkable. Captain Seini Koroitamana Cornish’s promotion to A330 command is a trailblazing achievement for women in aviation, not just in Fiji but the South Pacific as well. Already a highly accomplished pilot, Captain Seini continues to shatter the glass ceiling,” he said.
Fiji Airways Training Programme
Mr Viljoen said that Fiji Airways is able to progress the qualification and training of its highly capable Fijian pilots right at home because of the Full Flight Simulators and facilities at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy.
“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 contributing to milestone achievements like this one for Captain Koroitamana Cornish. What a statement for gender equality and what a great message! It’s a momentous occasion,” he said.
Fiji Airways Chief Pilot and Executive Manager Flight Operations Captain Aaron Dean praised the perseverance of Captain Cornish.
“She has risen 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. We can provide all the training and all the opportunities but ultimately it’s up to the individual on how to take those opportunities,” he said.
