IN an industry where the roar of jet engines has long been accompanied by a predominantly male chorus, a new harmony is emerging from the hangars and boardrooms of Nadi’s aviation hub.
On Tuesday, the traditional boundaries of corporate competition were shelved. In their place stood a rare show of solidarity as women from the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), Fiji Airways, Air Terminal Services (ATS), and Fiji Airports Limited gathered to mark International Women’s Day.
It was more than just a commemorative afternoon walk – it was a strategic assembly of the minds that keep Fiji’s blue skies safe and its tourism engine running. For many in attendance, the gathering represented a turning point.
The focus was sharp and the agenda clear, the urgent need for gender-inclusive workplaces.
Discussions throughout the day hammered home the necessity of implementing enhanced safeguarding measures for women navigating the demands of the aviation sector.
Fiji Airways chief people officer Anna Morris, a key figure behind the initiative, noted that the event was the organic result of a simple but powerful vision to create clear pathways for those yet to enter the field.
“Today’s event is a wonderful moment for us because it’s a moment that came from a conversation,” she said.
She watched as approximately 70 women participated in a symbolic walk through the Nadi industrial area, a visual reminder of their growing footprint in the sector.
“When women get together, wonderful things happen,” she said.
“It’s only through our collective connections and understanding where we’re going, what we’re doing, what our problems are, that we can really create clear pathways for other women.”
While the aviation industry has historically been viewed as a male dominated field Ms Morris was quick to point out that this newfound momentum was not fueled by anger. Instead, it was born of a desire to launch a new era ,one where merit and opportunity are not dictated by gender.
The movement, she stressed, was not born of a proactive desire to better the industry for everyone involved.
However, the road to true parity remains under construction. This sentiment was echoed by Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer Paul Scurrah.
While acknowledging the significant strides made within the national carrier and the wider sector, Mr Scurrah was candid about the work that lies ahead.
“The role of women in aviation and the tourism sector is incredibly important,” he said.
“I would like to think that we don’t have to single out focusing on women, because that would be a truly equal position, but we still have to do more.”
The push for equality is also moving onto the sporting field, a move the airline believes will have a ripple effect on how young women perceive their own potential.
Mr Scurrah highlighted the airline’s recent decision to extend its sponsorship of the Fijian Drua to specifically support the women’s team. It is a key initiative aimed at providing tangible role models for young women across the region.
The message from the “Give to Gain” event was clear: the women of Fiji’s aviation sector are no longer working in isolation. They are building a network designed to ensure that for the next generation of female pilots, engineers, and executives, the sky is no longer a limit, it is simply the office.
