New Delhi: Women have marked their strong participation in every field and attacked the patriarchal thinking of the society. For the last several years, a lot of efforts are being made on the world stage for gender equality and women empowerment. In such a situation, a team of women pilots of Air India is going to create history in the direction of women empowerment, which will definitely inspire the future generation and leave an everlasting positive impact.
A team of women pilots of Air India are going to fly over North Pole on the world’s longest air route and the flight from San Francisco will reach Bengaluru on January 9 covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometres.
Air India officials said, “Flying through the North Pole is very challenging and airline companies send their best and experienced pilots on this route. This time Air India has given this responsibility to a woman captain for the journey from San Fransico to Bengaluru via polar route.”
Air India Captain Zoya Agarwal will command the flight and her team is very excited to create history on 9 January.
Captain Zoya Agrawal said, “Most people will not see the North Pole or even its map in their lifetime. I feel truly privileged and humbled by the trust posed in me by the Civil Aviation Ministry and our flag carrier. It is a golden opportunity to command a Boeing 777 inaugural SFO-BLR, one of the longest flights over the North Pole.”
She further said, “I am extremely proud to have with me an experienced women team comprising Captains Thanmai Papagari, Akanksha Sonawane, and Shivani Manhas. This is the first time an all-women pilots team will fly over the North Pole and create a history of sorts. It is indeed a dream-come-true for any professional pilot.”
According to aviation experts, flying to the North Pole is highly technical and requires skill and experience.
Back in 2013, Agarwal had become the youngest woman pilot to fly a Boeing-777.
Zoya said, “I am the youngest female pilot in the world to fly a Boeing 777. The thrill of actually realising that you will be passing the North pole where the compass will flip 180 degrees, something which is fascinating indeed.”
“Women should have self-confidence even if they face societal pressure. We must not consider any work impossible,” she concluded.