Tata group’s Air India Express operates India’s first all-women Haj flight

Air India Express, the international budget arm of the Tata Group, said in a statement that Air India Express (AIXL) on Thursday operated India’s first Hajj-only flight.

She added that this particular flight, carrying 145 women, was fully operated by a crew of women in all critical flight operations roles, supporting India’s Pilgrimage Committee’s pioneering initiative to have only women on board.

The first Hajj flight for women, IX 3025, departed from Kozhikode for Jeddah at 18:45 GMT on Thursday, arriving in Jeddah at 22:45 local time, according to the airline.

Air India Express said that the pilot, Kanika Mehra, and the first officer, Garima Bassi, were accompanied by crew members Pejitha MB, Srilakshmi, Sushma Sharma, and Subangi Biswas.

Besides, women also did the ground operations as well as aircraft maintenance jobs for the flight.

She added that the Hajj Committee’s initiative to empower women is fully in line with Air India Express’ core values ​​of equality and diversity, as the company’s workforce consists of 50 percent women.