Going finish after a remarkebel career with Air Niugini

After a remarkable career of nearly 40 years of continuous service to Air Niugini, she finally decided to call it a day.

From Pariro village in Buin, South Bougainville, Doris Naime commenced work with Air Niugini in September 1974 as a young reservations officer at the airline’s office in Lae.

She was only 19 at that time and just completed grade 10.

Doris said it was an interesting time but at the same time challenging as there was no computerized reservation system at that time.

“ We did all reservations manually. When passengers turn up at the sales office, we would write down their details on cards and send a telex to staff at reservations in Port Moresby to confirm the availability of seats. If there was space, the POM staff would send the telex back to us, we then advice the passengers accordingly.” She said.

It was painstaking and laborious but Doris and her colleagues performed their duties diligently and with a lot of pride.

With the current computerized system, sending telex is a thing of the past. With just a click of button, tickets are printed there and then at the sales office.

Those who joined Air Niugini during its initial stages of operations learnt and master a lot of things through hands on experience.

Doris recalled“ The airline industry was very new to us at that time. We had no experience at all. Though, there were expatriates who took us through training, many things were learnt on the job. We sometime challenge ourselves to learn new things instead of waiting to be spoon fed.”

Although, she was based in Lae most of the time during her 38 years, Doris also worked at the airline’s sales offices throughout the country.

From being a reservations officer and over the years , Doris made her way up to the position of a Senior International Travel Advisor, a position she held until her retirement last week.

At 59 and with four children and five grandchildren, Doris now left Air Niugini, a place she called home for almost four decades. Her challenge to new staff of Air Niugini is for them to use their initiative and work hard.

“Do not just sit down and expect the company to do things for you. Use your initiative; make it a habit to learn new things yourselves and Air Niugini will help.”

Since working with Air Niugini, Doris has travelled to New York, Florida, Hawaii, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Malacca and Australia which she jokingly said was more like her second home.

Doris thanked Air Niugini for grooming and bringing her to where she is today and also for the many experiences.

Air Niugini acknowledged Doris’ commitment and loyalty and wished her well in her retirement.