From Addis Ababa to Lagos… Flying on the wings of Ethiopian Amazons

When Ethiopian Airlines announced plans to host a select group of Nigerian media to a special tour of the ancient city of Addis Ababa, it was cheering news for the journalists, who saw it as an opportunity to explore the historic city, which is also home of the African Union (AU).

Though touring historic sites, especially the enthralling Ethnological Museum set within Haile Selassie’s former palace, was a great experience for the newsmen, the highpoint of the visit was the decision by the Ethiopian Airlines management to fly the team back home in its first ‘all women flight’ into Nigeria. Indeed, it was a proud moment to be African and a perfect way to demonstrate that, what a man can do, a woman can do as well.

The original plan was for the ladies to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an American long haul, twin-engine jet airliner made by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. But as passenger list continued to increase, there was need to change to Boeing 777-300, a long range, twin aisle, twin-engine jet.

Often referred to as the Triple Seven, it was the world’s first commercial aircraft entirely designed by computer. Its visible features include super large engines, low hanging landing gear and a blade shaped tail cone with a relatively narrow tailfin. Today, it remains a best seller for long-haul commercial aircraft for its excellent fuel efficiency and cabin comfort. Compared to the 777-200, the Boeing 777-300 features a longer body, raked and extended wingtips, a new main landing gear, reinforced nose gear, and extra fuel tanks.

As soon as boarding was completed at the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, the ladies took charge of the flight, which had a total of 391 passengers (363 economy and 28 business Class). Led by Capt Amsale Gualu, with Tigist Kibret as first officer, from cabin crew to engineers, in flight ramp operations, as well as flight dispatchers on ground…they were all women. Indeed, it was an unusual experience.

Smoothly, the flight took off and got to cruise level; everyone was excited. All through the flight period, the crew was full of confidence, beaming with smiles as they served passengers; you could fell it from their steps. If not for anything, they have made history. And each time they made inflight announcements, they never failed to remind passengers that, “This is an all female operated flight.”

Midair, there was a traditional cutting of cake to celebrate the feat achieved by these amazons, who got resounding rounds of applause from the passengers. As for other women onboard, it was an opportunity to reopen that age long debate: what a man can do, a woman can do batter.

To celebrate the crew, one had no option but to see the movie Wonder Woman, which is currently listed in their inflight entertainment. It’s a story of Diana (Gal Gadot), princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine), who tells her about the massive conflict that’s raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.

And when it was time to listen to music, Angelique Kidjo was a natural choice. A powerful singer and tireless performer, Kidjo has been one of the most successful performers to emerge on world music stages in the 1990s and 2000s. Her music not only draws from African traditions, but also interprets the ways those traditions developed after Africans were seized and taken to the New World. Thus elements of American soul, funk, rap, and jazz, Brazilian samba, Jamaican reggae, and Cuban and Puerto Rican salsa all show up on her recordings, along with various African styles.

As soon as Capt. Gualu called for landing, almost all passengers were eager to see how the ladies would land. For many, smooth landing is a clear sign of experience and professionalism. And the ladies did it; they landed smoothly and taxied to the tarmac amid showers.

However, disembarking from the flight was tough, as almost all the passengers wanted a photo with the pilot and her crewmembers. In truth, success has many fathers; failure is an orphan.

While receiving the crew at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the General Manager Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria, Firihewot Mekonnen informed that the airline’s all female flight is to reward Nigerian passengers for their loyalty, describing Nigeria as not just a great partner, but also a country that has shown Africa what Women can do.

“I’m most honoured to welcome you all to the epoch-making event happening for the first time in Africa. I’m most privileged to be a woman, the first female GM of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria and also to be the one receiving this very important flight to Lagos. Ethiopian Airlines has decided to always reward the Nigerian traveller for the loyalty they have shown to the Airline. This is the reason we are bringing the first all women operated flight in Africa to Lagos Nigeria,” she said.

The initiative, she noted, aims at promoting women’s empowerment and encouraging more African women to pursue aviation careers. Though one-third of its employees are women, the figure is smaller when it comes to positions such as pilots and technicians.

“One of first women pilots in Africa is a Nigerian. Today, Ethiopian Airlines Africa’s first 4-star Airline is proud to be the first to operate an all Women Operated flight to Nigeria; we are all witnesses to history today. We wish to thank our Nigerian passengers and government for the growth of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria,” she said.

In his remarks at the mini reception for the crew, Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Hon Nkiruka Onyejeocha commended the airline and the crew of the flight for choosing Nigeria as the first country in the continent for the historic flight.

“Women are moving forward, we are breaking grounds; we are not backbenchers. Today, we have pilots, cabin crew, engineers all female. It is an experience and it’s a great thing happening,” she enthused.

While speaking to reporters at the airport, Captain Amsale Gualu said, “my first African flight was historic and it was good. This is not my first international flight, but it’s my first all women flight. And I’m privileged to be part of this flight. I did not feel uncomfortable, not at all, that was a day to day experience,” she said.

For Gualu, being a pilot is a ream come true.

“It’s my childhood dream; I have always wanted to be a pilot since I was a child. When my father took me to the airport then when I was in high school, I used to be impressed by the uniform. And after graduating from Addis Ababa University, I joined Ethiopia Airlines as a first officer and flew Focker 50 and Boeing 767. In 2010, I became a captain on Dash Q400 and from there, a captain on 767 now I also fly 777 and 787,” she noted.