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Air Vanuatu, Vanuatu’s national carrier, is pleased to announce it has already surpassed the target of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) global initiative “25by2025” to improve female representation across the aviation industry.The global campaign launched by IATA in September 2019 challenged all airlines to join the “20by2025” campaign by ensuring a minimum of 25% female representation in management teams.

As one of the first airlines in the world to step forward, Air Vanuatu has already exceeded the target with 36% of management positions within the airline being held by women. The average for all IATA members in the Asia Pacific region is just 7%.

Chief Executive Officer of Air Vanuatu Derek Nice is committed to increasing gender diversity within the airline and is thrilled to announce their progress so far:

“We identified the very real need to publicly validate our commitment to gender diversity and saw the IATA challenge as an opportunity that would not only benefit women in aviation in Vanuatu, but benefit us as an airline as well,” said Chief Executive Officer Derek Nice.

“Our focus on gender diversity first began with our commitment to the National Sustainable Development Plan, commonly known as The People’s Plan, which calls for equitable, sustainable growth that creates jobs and income earning opportunities accessible to all people in rural and urban areas throughout Vanuatu.”

“The majority of our employees are women, and they play key roles in every department and at every level in our airline. We’re stronger for their leadership, dedication and commitment,” said Mr Nice.

Women at Air Vanuatu, including Australians, manage a number of key areas and departments at the airline. These include:

  • Board of Directors

Adela Issachar Aru – Director

  • Ground Operations

Jocelynne Doro – Manager Operations Control Centre; Linda Fred – Manager Cargo
Airport Managers – Donna Downs, Brisbane; Maddeline Mann – Auckland; Julianne Spillane, Brisbane.

  • Commercial

Sindy Metsan – Vanuatu Commercial Manager; Jody Southern – Sales Executive, Melbourne

  • Finance

Charmaine Daniel – Chief Financial Officer; Natalie Mills – Manager Revenue Accounting

  • Human Resources & Administration 

Eileen Barthelemy – Executive Secretary to the CEO; Lisa Guillain – Training and Development Manager; Wilmaraia Vocor – General Manager Human Resources

  • Engineering

Regina Andrews – Engineer; Noella Obed – Engineer

  • Flight Operations

Beverly Alvos – Cabin Crew Training Manager; Priscila Vatoko – Cabin Crew Manager ; Lucy Fetuani – DHC Twin Otter Captain; Katura Marae – B737 First Officer; Stephanie Tarileo – ATR First Officer

  • Catering

Emily Guttadauro – Catering Manager

Air Vanuatu is one of only three airlines in the South Pacific to accept the IATA challenge, alongside Qantas and Air New Zealand, and is the only national carrier from the South Pacific Island States.