Asiana Airlines welcomed its first female foreign operations chief 24 years after its foundation in 1988.

The nation’s second-largest air carrier announced on Sunday that it named Jang Yoon-heui, a deputy general director in charge of airport services and contracts, head of the Hiroshima branch in Japan.

“Going out to head an overseas branch involves the whole family moving out. Real-life issues have been holding back female staff from taking up posts overseas,” a company spokesman said. 

A mother of one, Jang plans to move to Japan alone first. She will take office in Hiroshima from July 1 as the commander of flights and services for three years.

Jang said that teamwork is the crucial part of her professionalism, and that she tries to convince staff why the work is necessary rather than force them. To younger female staff who dream of working abroad, Jang said that positive thinking is essential both at work and at home.

In 2011, a flight for London was redirected to Brussels due to volcanic ash in European skies. Jang continued contacting the London Heathrow Airport officials until they finally approved the plane’s arrival.

“When faced with difficulties, I always try to come up with some sort of solution,” Jang said.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)