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For the first time, on the world’s longest nonstop flight, the entire flight operations will be handled by women.
Tomorrow at 2:35 in the morning when most of us will be deep in slumber, a bunch of female employees of national carrier Air India will set out to make history—they will operate and support one of the world’s longest all-women flight on non-stop Delhi-San Francisco route.
“It will be historic flight and longest to be operated by all women crew. The initiative is a symbol of women empowerment and that the airline has immense respect for women,” said Ashwini Lohani, chairman and managing director of Air India while announcing the developing.
Lohani added that Air India celebrates International Women’s Day every year by deploying women crew on its select international and domestic routes. This year for the first time, on the world’s longest nonstop flight the entire flight operations from cockpit crew to cabin crew, check-in staff, doctor, customer care Staff, ATC and the entire ground handling from operator to technician, engineer and flight dispatcher and trimmer will be handled by women.
It was followed by famous Kathak danseuses Shovana Narayan felicitating the operating crew and support staff of the flight.
“Thank you for celebrating women’s day in such a unique way. It is a dream flight and a testimony that if women resolve they can do everything. With this journey all these women will leave their imprints on sands of time,” said Narayan.
The historic flight AI 173 will depart from Delhi on March 6 at 2.35 am and land at San Francisco at 6 am. It will be under the command of Captain Kshamta Bajpayee and Captain Shubhangi Singh along with First Officers Captain Ramya Kirti Gupta and Captain Amrit Namdhari.
The flight duration is about 17 hours. It will cover a distance of 7,831 nautical miles (14,503 km) at a speed of 500 kilometers an hour.
Captain Bajpayee said, “It is a dream come true for me and my colleagues, who are part of this momentous journey. Only when you wish can you be granted that wish. Only when you dream can a dream come true. So, don’t stop dreaming like we didn’t!”
Air India’s mission to contribute its prowess to make women self-reliant, forms a core facet of the national carrier’s corporate responsibility towards its women employees and reflects the “Truly Indian” tradition of showing respect to women. The airline has around 3765 women employees, including women pilots, cabin crew, engineers, technicians, doctors, security personnel and executives.
