/ 6 September 2001

ALL WOMEN CREW HITS THE AIRWAYS

SA Airways made history on Tuesday when an all-women crew for the first time operated a SAA jet from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth and back. ”We are truly proud of the achievements of our women captains and flight crew,” SAA chief executive Andre Viljoen said in a statement. The historic flight on a Boeing 737-200 was operated by six women. The commander was Captain Jane Trembath. Trembath, who recently qualified as a captain, said this was a great moment in the 19 years she had been flying. ”The SAA cadet pilot scheme provides a wonderful opportunity for women to enter the exciting and challenging career of an airline pilot,” she said. – Sapa