India's historic all-women Haj flight creates ground-breaking aviation milestone

Air India has successfully completed its inaugural all-women Haj flight, marking a significant milestone. The special flight accommodated 145 women pilgrims, featured an all-female crew in both the cockpit and cabin, and involved women managing ground operations. Captain Kanika Mehra and First Officer Garima Passi piloted the Air Indian Express flight, with support from Sushma Sharma, Bijitha M B, Sreelakshmi, and Subhangi Biswas in the cabin.

Prior to takeoff, the female crew efficiently handled safety and ground operations, including flight dispatch and aircraft maintenance. Air India proudly stated that women account for over 40 percent of its workforce, and out of the 1,825 pilots, 15 percent are women. Consequently, Air India stands as the airline with the highest number of female pilots. Moreover, India boasts the highest percentage of female pilots worldwide at 12.4 percent.

Air India had previously made history with its first-ever non-stop flight, a remarkable achievement. The 2021 flight, from San Francisco to Bengaluru, was piloted by an all-women cockpit crew and held the distinction of being the longest non-stop flight conducted by an Indian airline. Captain Zoya Agarwal, Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Shivani Manhas, and Captain Akansha Sonaware formed the trailblazing all-women crew.

Captain Manhas shared that the flight duration approached nearly 17 hours, while Captain Agarwal highlighted the fuel-saving benefits of the chosen route, amounting to 10 tonnes of fuel conservation.

In 2020, Captain Zoya Agarwal exhibited her dedication by leading rescue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and co-piloting Air India's inaugural rescue flight. Furthermore, she etched her name in history as the pilot of the airline's first Boeing 777 aircraft to traverse the challenging Hindu Kush mountain range.

Captain Zoya Agarwal's remarkable accomplishments have earned her the distinction of being the first Indian woman to be accepted into the US Aviation Museum. Additionally, she is the sole living individual honored by the SFO Aviation Museum.

The achievements of Air India's all-women Haj flight, along with the notable contributions of Captain Zoya Agarwal, exemplify the airline's commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and breaking barriers in the aviation industry.