EgyptAir Launches Two Flights with Full Women Crews for the First Time

Full women crew on board of EgyptAir aircraft. Source: EgyptAir

Full women crew on board of EgyptAir aircraft. Source: EgyptAir

 EgyptAir celebrated International Women’s Day in their own special way. On Wednesday the 22^nd of March, the flag carrier airline of Egypt launched two flights piloted by female-only crew for the first time ever. The flights departed from Cairo International Airport heading to their destinations in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.

 The first plane which took off and headed to Abu Dhabi, was an Airbus 330 and was led by Captain Hasnaa Taymour. The second plane was a Boeing 737 bound for Kuwait and led by Captain Heba Darwish. Not only female pilots, but the first flight also had First Officer Sarah Abdel-Fattah, ten flight attendants and two female security members on board. On board of the second aircraft, First Officer Sarah Roshdy, five flight attendants, and two female security members were present.

El Sisi had announced earlier that 2017 is the “Year of Women”. The Egyptian president honoured Captain Hasnaa Taymour on Tuesday at the celebration of Mother’s Day and Egypt’s Women’s Day.

“Heya” Campaign in Bibliotheca Alexandrina

“Women in the Maritime sector” and “Women and Media” sessions

Prof. Layla ElSaeed while giving her session.

Mrs. Nashwa Al Houfi while giving her session.

 The department of public services in Bibliotheca Alexandrina organised “Heya” campaign celebrating International Women’s Day 2017, from Sunday 19^th of March to Tuesday 21^st of March 2017. There were many sessions and workshops in the event given by big names in different fields.

On the 20^th of March, Prof. Layla ElSaeed, forum chairperson in MENA & Africa Arab International Women’s Maritime Forum (AIWMF), gave a session under the title of “Women in the Maritime Sector”. She discussed the challenges which face women in the maritime and transport sector especially Arab women and the importance of enhancing women maritime and professional leadership. This session was followed by a session under the title of “Women and Media” by journalist Mrs. Nashwa Al Houfi. She discussed the impact of advertisements on people in the society and how they developed over the years. She also discussed the importance of education and how it can shape the youth’s personalities.

The “Heya” campaign’s target is to raise awareness about the effective role of women in the society and to work on women empowerment in different fields and sectors.