The national flag carrier, Samoa Airways, has appointed a new Regional Manager for Australia and New Zealand. 

She is Fuimaono Lydwina Henrietta Nio, who was previously the Country Sales Manager Australia.

The appointment was confirmed by the Airline’s General Manager Commercial, Leauluaiali’i Robert Rounds, in a media statement.

“We are pleased to confirm Fuimaono Lydwina Henrietta Nio’s appointment to the position of Regional Manager Australia and New Zealand for Samoa Airways,” he is quoted as saying.

“Fuimaono brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in sales and management. She is well known for her outstanding reputation in sales and business development in the travel and airline industry.

“She is passionate about serving Samoa and is committed to growing our business out of Australia and New Zealand.”

For Fuimaono, her new role is more than just a step up the ladder in her career. It is the fulfillment of a life long goal inspired by her parents, who had also worked for Polynesian Airlines.

 “As a young girl we lived in the village of Vaigaga and my parents had the job of transporting Polynesian Airlines’ staff from the airport to head office or their homes,” she said.

“I was always around people who worked for the airline back then and I would watch my parents as they continuously carried on this routine.  I made up my mind back then that one day I was going to work for Polynesian Airlines.”

The journey to get here though has taken her around the world and many years.

According to the media statement, Fuimaono’s experience in the aviation industry spans across 25 years. She worked as a travel consultant from the 1990s until 2019 for Golden Eagle Travel Agency, Worldwide Travel and also a wholesaler for Coral Seas Holidays. She also worked as a Consolidator for CVFR, OTA TBO Holidays, GSA- Aviation Online, Polynesian Airlines and Fiji Airways.

“As a proud Samoan, it’s an honour to take up this role at a time when Samoa Airways is beginning to make traction in its exciting programme of expansion,” she said.

 “I look forward to building on the strong relationship that Samoa Airways enjoys with the travel industry as well as serving our people and the many thousands of loyal and valued customers.”

General Manager Commercial Leauluaiali’i says Fuimaono is a great asset to Samoa Airways.

“We wish her every success in the new role and look forward to seeing her positive impact on the Australian market," he said.

In her role as Regional Manager, Fuimaono will act as a representative for Samoa Airways, establishing and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders in the region including trade and tourism partners.

She will lead and drive commercial growth for Samoa Airways in Australia and New Zealand through the development, implementation and achievement of sales and marketing plans.

In addition, the role leads and develops direct and indirect reports towards shared company goals and is accountable for asset management and reducing financial risk to the business through budget forecasting and cost management.