It’s a flight that is fully and completely operated by just women.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Virgin Australia dispatched flight VA313 that was handled by an all-women team.
It departed Melbourne at 8.10am and arrived at Brisbane Airport around 9.20am local time, entering the history books when it taxied up to Gate 46.
The operational flight plan was constructed and issued by a female Flight Dispatcher and all weight and balance activities were performed by a female Load Controller in the airline’s Integrated Operations Centre.
Flight VA313 also had an all-female team in the flight deck and cabin, managed by an all-female pit crew team in both ports, and supported by female airport safety officers and air traffic controllers.
Virgin Australia chief people officer, Lisa Burquest said the initiative highlighted how far aviation has come in terms of gender diversity and showcased the opportunities available to women interested in pursuing a career in the industry.
“This flight is a celebration of all the incredible women who continue to pave a path for future generations to pursue a career in this exciting and dynamic industry and I am thrilled to see it come to life in collaboration with our partners,” Ms Burquests said.
“Behind every aircraft in the sky, there is a highly-skilled team working together to ensure passengers get to their destinations safely, and for this flight, every one of these roles is carried out by women.
“It’s an exciting time to join Virgin Australia as we ramp up our operations and continue to look for people from all walks of life who are seriously passionate about what they do, to join our fun and inclusive team.”
Melbourne Airport chief executive officer, Lorie Argus said she hoped the flight would inspire more women to work in aviation.
“As the first female CEO at Melbourne Airport, I’m determined to highlight that women can forge meaningful and rewarding careers in aviation.”
Meanwhile, Brisbane Airport Corporation executive general manager of human resources, Jane Dionysius said she was looking forward to the day an all-women flight was no longer news.
“There isn’t a single role across aviation that women can’t do and today’s flight proves that. I look forward to a time when seeing women across aviation isn’t extraordinary, it’s the everyday,” she said.