Malawi Airlines says it has
operated the airline's maiden all-women operated and supported
flight, aimed at encouraging women to pursue careers in
aviation.
The airline reveals that the flight
which was operated using the Bombardier Q-400 was flown from
Blantyre to Dar es Salaam and back, with Capt. Yolanda Ndala Kaunda
and FO Lusekelo Mwenifumbo, in command of the flight deck and
flight technician, Saba Solomon, certifying take offs. The flight
cabin, security, check-in and fire fighting were also operated by
women. The Control Towers at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) was
not left out as it was controlled by three women, completing the
set of the all-women crew.
The First Lady of the Republic of
Malawi, Madame Dr. Gertrude Mutharika, who witnessed the historic
flight, states that the all-women flight was a symbol that Malawi
was on the right track towards women empowerment. She says: "Let me
emphatically add that this first ever All-Women Flight has
confirmed that sky is no longer the limit for women. Today, women
have come to demolish all boundaries that kept us confined in
certain narrow spaces for far too long."
Malawi Airlines, Chief Executive
Officer, Ahadu Simachew, says the 'special flight' was organized to
showcase that women were as capable of handling challenging
endeavours, such as flying, which are mostly dominated by
men.