Solomon Airlines Celebrates Longest Serving Staff Member
Solomon Airlines wished a happy retirement to one of the airline’s longest-serving staff members ever this year – much respected Airlines Reservations Systems Manager Paul Alafa who achieved an incredible 42 years of service.
Paul started with Solomon Airlines in January 1980, and worked through historic change at the national carrier serving under successive former CEOs Bob Brown, Rolly, Russell Robertson, John Baura, Gideon Zoleveke, Joseph Anea, Michael Maina, Ron Sumsum and Brett Gebers.
“In 1979 I was working at the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and came across a vacancy in the newspaper for the position of ‘International Traffic Officer’ and decided to give it try,” said Paul.
‘Giving it a try’ turned into a decision which started a long aviation career that few in any airline around the world have achieved.
After two years in international traffic, he took up an opportunity as Domestic Cargo Officer before moving to Sales and Ticketing then Front Counter to serve walk in customers for domestic bookings.
Next he transferred to the Radio Reservations team which looked after bookings for domestic outer ports. In 1985 Solomon Airlines moved from a manual card system to computerised reservations. Paul travelled to Goroka, Papua New Guinea for the initial training with other Reservations team members, and continued his Reservations System training via sessions in Sydney thereafter.
Over the next four decades, Paul also witnessed major changes to the national carrier’s fleet.
Originally from Kwai, Malaita Province, he travelled not only within the Solomon Islands but was also sent to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok for job training.
He witnessed the arrival of the jet age for Solomon Airlines – new international aircraft – the Boeing 737-300 in the early 1990s, and subsequently the Embraer and Airbus A320 flown today.
The domestic fleet also changed from the Norman Islander aircraft type flown in the early 80s, to include sea plane, Metroliner, Beach Baron, Queen Air, Islander, and today’s Twin Otters and Dash-8.
“The introduction of Dash-8 to the domestic fleet was a milestone for the company. It really helped flight loadings, especially on busy sectors like Munda, Gizo, Santa Cruz and Kirakira,” said Paul. After 42 years of service with Solomon Airlines, Paul’s retirement plans include completing his house at Atori, Malaita Province, helping his people to build a church at Atori, and spending more time with his 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren.
FEATURED PHOTO: Solomon Airlines Reservations Systems Manager Paul Alafa
- Profile and Image Exclusively for Sunday Isles Newspaper Online
