Airline appoints manager for Solomon Islands office

 AS part of Air Niugini’s plan to expose young Papua New Guineans to assume management roles, Apisolom Kaili has been appointed to manage the airline’s office and business interests in the Solomon Islands.

This follows the airline’s announcement of the re-establishment of their sales office in Honiara.

Air Niugini’s chief executive Simon Foo said it was important for the airline to establish an office there to look after customers in that part of the region due to growing trade among Melanesian countries.

“In order to expand our market and further strengthen our presence in the Pacific and especially the Melanesian countries, it’s important to have a fully-fledged office to take care of Air Niugini’s customer there,” Foo said.

Foo congratulated Kaili on his appointment and said Kaili would also be looking after the airline’s operations in Vanuatu and Fiji from Solomon Islands.

Foo said international exposure was important to groom and develop managers for future executive roles back at the head office.

“Testing your capacity and management skills in unfamiliar circumstances with people from all walks of life is far more enriching. 

“Each time you are exposed to a new situation, you learn new things and this keeps redefining your skills and capabilities as a manager,” he said.

Kaili thanked Air Niugini for the opportunity.

“This is a chance for me to sharpen my management skills on the international,” he said.

Kaili, from East New Britian, joined the airline in 1997.

The Honiara office will open on Monday.