Q: What first inspired you to pursue a career with an airline?
A: I have been fascinated by aeroplanes since I was child, but as a woman, it was a dream that I couldn’t ever imagine would be possible.
However, by the age of 14, I was determined that I would turn my childhood fascination into reality and pursue my dream.
Q: What was it about Air Tahiti Nui (ATN) that attracted you?
A: The opportunity to join Air Tahiti Nui presented itself shortly after the tragic events of September 11.
The airline was opening the route between Papeete and Paris via Los Angeles and I must confess that it was the stunning beauty of the islands of Tahiti that I was drawn to.
I now feel incredibly lucky to be able to fly our beautiful aircraft over some of the world’s most stunning routes.
Q: How have you found it working for ATN?
A: Working for Air Tahiti Nui has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I began my journey as a first officer and eventually, after some years, was promoted to Captain, and more recently was appointed the airline’s first female chief pilot.
Air Tahiti Nui’s commitment to gender equality is something that I have seen firsthand and it’s great to be part of a team that is leading the way with gender equality.
I am very proud of the collaborative work culture, the supportive team and the work the airline does to represent the Polynesian islands.
It’s fulfilling to be part of a team that brings the spirit of Tahiti to the rest of the world and the breadth of routes Air Tahiti Nui offers, connecting these beautiful islands to the rest of the world, is just incredible.
Q: What is it about your job that you love the most?
A: The thrill of flying a plane never gets old for me and I love sharing that experience with passengers from all over the world.
My favourite aspect of my job is the opportunity to connect people with extraordinary destinations, including Tahiti.
Also, taking off in a cloudy sky, flying across the clouds and seeing the sun rising is amazing (only poets and pilots know that above the clouds, there is the sun!).
Q: What’s your take on ATN’s initiative to attract more women into aviation roles?
A: As the first female captain at Air Tahiti Nui, I know how breaking stereotypes can make a big difference for women in aviation and I love that my role inspires others.
I am thrilled that Air Tahiti Nui is taking real steps to empower and inspire young Polynesian women and women everywhere to embark on careers in aviation.
Unfortunately, we don’t have many candidates coming forward, so we need to continue to inspire and communicate about our industry to encourage and enlighten more women.
Q: Do you think more could be done across the airline industry to attract more women and if so, what measures should be taken?
A: While progress has been made, there’s still more that can be done across the airline industry to attract and support women.
Implementing mentorship programs and creating more opportunities, particularly in engineering roles, can empower women and encourage their participation in aviation.
Ensuring equal access to training, fair compensation and opportunities for career advancement are also essential steps. These actions are vital for fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment within aviation.
Q: How do you view the position of female workers in the travel industry as a whole and are they well represented?
A: Women play a vital role in the travel industry and we are working across all touchpoints throughout the industry. However, when it comes to specific positions such as airline pilots, there is still a very notable gender gap.
According to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA), less than six per cent of pilots worldwide are female. This statistic underlines the need for continued efforts to promote gender balance and support the advancement of women in these under represented roles.
There have been efforts to promote gender balance through diversity, equity and inclusion actions, but there is still work to be done and progress to be made
Q: How do you view the future of Air Tahiti Nui?
A: We recently celebrated our 25th anniversary, which is a really exciting milestone, and the future is bright for the airline.
For me, the future of Air Tahiti Nui will continue to be about connecting more travellers with the beauty of Tahiti for many years to come, with new routes across the globe, such as the extension of our Seattle to Paris service announced in 2023.
With travellers eager to visit stunning destinations like Tahiti, I see many opportunities for our airline and for the Tahitian community that benefits from tourism.
Excitingly, Air Tahiti Nui became the fourth largest employer in Polynesia in 2022, further showcasing our integral role in French Polynesia’s landscape.
Q: Finally, why should more Aussies come to Tahiti?
A: There are so many reasons! Aussies will find more than the idyllic overwater bungalows and turquoise waters in Tahiti (although these absolutely exist and are worth traveling for!), and I recommend going to lesser-known islands in the Society Islands, like Tuamotus and Marquesas.
There’s plenty to do there, such as hiking, horseback riding and diving and of course, relaxing.
I would say that Tahiti is a destination that promises to captivate every traveller’s heart and fill travellers’ vacations with unforgettable moments.
In French Polynesia, travellers will find a deep connection to nature and experience the kindness of the Polynesian people, making it truly unforgettable.
It’s also incredibly easy to get here, with three flights from Australia per week and a travel time of less than eight hours via Auckland.
Our airline takes pride in not only connecting travellers to Polynesia but also immersing them in the rich culture of the destination from the moment they step onboard our aircraft.
