Foo retires as airline chief after 40 years

By Mark Haihuie
AIR Niugini chief executive officer Simon Foo announced his retirement yesterday after more than 40 years with the national carrier.
He started off as trainee traffic officer at Rabaul in 1971 for Trans Australia Airways and was promoted to supervisor when the company came under Air Niugini in 1973.
Foo told The National that he was confident the airline would soar while he would try to spend more time with his five bubus (grandchildren).
“There have been many highlights but one of the biggest thrills for me was the opportunity to live and work around PNG and overseas,” he said
Foo said the airline had a critical role in the country through developments at Jackson Airport as the regional hub.
“I would hope, following what the Government wants to do, is that we become a better shareholder and be privatised so that the airline is run as a full business,” he said.
“Then we can take advantage of numerous opportunities, especially our geographical position between Asia and the Pacific and making the airline grow and support the nation’s growth as well.”
Foo said he would spend his retirement back in his home province of East New Britain and expressed his gratitude in serving the people of PNG.
“I will go back to Kokopo, my hometown, and contribute to the development of East New Britain while also slowing down from work as an executive to spend more time with my children and bubus,” he said.
“We are the national airline and we work very hard to deliver the service that the people of PNG deserve and sometimes we may not reach that level and we ask your forgiveness.
“However, the heart of the airline is the people and we will eventually deliver the best service that our people deserve as PNG’s national carrier.”
Foo will be succeeded by Tahawar Durrani as the acting chief executive officer.