WOMEN IN AVIATION PNG CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT

CAPTION: Caption: Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Wii and the Women in Aviation PNG

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

THE Women in Aviation Papua New Guinea hosted a luncheon today (Thursday 12th March, 2026) to celebrate women’s achievements in the aviation sector.

Although still a male-dominated field, the visibility of women in PNG aviation is increasing, with trailblazers inspiring more young women to pursue careers in the industry.

One of those trailblazers is Lieutenant Colonel, Nancy Wii, the first female commanding officer of the PNG Defence Air force.

Lieutenant Colonel Wii today shared her story with the women in aviation PNG, a story filled with challenges, of resilience and of a woman going up against the odds to leave a mark for the women in PNG to follow.

She said, women are constantly undermined, often branded incapable of holding positions in big offices or of running an organisation. But she proved the industry wrong, becoming one of the first women bosses in the PNG military.

Another notable figure in the aviation industry is Ms Nancy Nakikus, Retired Former General Manager Operations with PNG Air, who is currently overseas seeking medical assistance.

She also shared her inspiring story via video with the young women in aviation.

The event is not just a celebration of women in the aviation sector and what they have achieved so far, it is a call to action to accelerate gender equality in Papua New Guinea.

Comparing the past and the present, women are still rare in technical aviation roles in the country however trailblazers like Lieutenant colonel Wii and Ms Nancy Nakikus have broken the barriers, along others like Captain Beverly Paki and many more.