Saudi carrier flyadeal has operated a flight with an all-female crew, the first time in Saudi aviation history.
In a social media post on May 20, 2022, the low-cost airline said that the all-female crew operated Flight 117, a domestic flight from Riyadh to Jeddah, on an Airbus A320. The majority of the crew are Saudis, the airline added.
For the first time in Saudi aviation history!
#flyadeal operated the first flight with all-female crew, majority of which are Saudis by the newest A320 aircraft. Flight 117, flew from #Riyadh to #Jeddah pic.twitter.com/fWo08hYMd7
— طيران أديل (@flyadeal) May 20, 2022
First officer Yara Jan is the youngest female Saudi pilot at the age of 23 and she spoke to Arab News about the flight.
“As a Saudi woman trying to lead my country with a proud step it was a moment of pride and joy,” Jan was quoted as saying in the article.
Saudi Arabia has eased some restrictions on women in recent years, with women receiving the right to drive cars only in 2018.
Jan told Arab News she recognized how important the flight was for young women in the Kingdom.
“Although being a Saudi woman pilot is new, it is not impossible for our generation, especially with the backing that we are receiving from our beloved country and our respected leaders, who have supported me a lot to become the youngest female pilot in a Saudi airline,” she was quoted as saying. “I will always be pleased to have the chance to make a positive change.”