Air India’s all-women pilot crew sets to script history. Air India Captain Zoya Agarwal along with her all-women crew will fly over the North Pole on the world’s longest air route. The flight from San Francisco (SFO) will reach Bengaluru, India on January 9 covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometers. Zoya Agarwal will be the first woman commander of Air India to command a flight over the North Pole. According to Air India official,
“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 responsibilities to a woman captain for the journey from San Fransico to Bengaluru via polar route,”
Air India Captain Zoya Agarwal, who will be commanding the flight along her team is very excited and are eagerly waiting to create history. Zoya Agarwal told ANI,
“Most people in the world will not see the North Pole or even its map in their lifetime. I feel truly feel 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 world’s longest flight over the North Pole.”
Zoya Agarwal continued,
“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 pilot’s team will fly over the North Pole and create a history of sorts. It’s indeed a dream come true for any professional pilot.”
According to aviation experts, flying a plane over the North Pole is extremely technical and requires lots of skill and experience. When you pass the North pole, the compass flips 180 degrees and makes it more challenging. Zoya Agarwal added,
“The thrill of actually realizing that you will be passing the North pole where the compass will flip 180 degrees. Something which is fascinating indeed.”
Zoya Agarwal was the youngest woman pilot to fly a Boeing-777 in 2013. Now, it will be another feather in her cap as will be the first pilot to fly the longest flight over the North Pole. She continued,
“I am the youngest woman commander in the world on Boeing 777. Women should have self-belief even if they face societal pressure not consider any task impossible.”
Air India pilots have flown the flight over polar route earlier also. However, it is for the first time a team of all women pilots flies over the North Pole. Congratulations to the entire crew. you have made the nation proud and became an inspiration to many.
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