Monday, October 19, 2009: A Kenya Airways pilot is set to receive the prestigious Africa Travel Awards 2009 as the first female African Airline Captain.

An airline captain is the ultimate position for a professional pilot which begins as a first officer or co-pilot.
 
Captain Irene Mutungi will receive the “Africa Legend of Travel” Award at the 5th AKWAABA: Africa Travel Market gala dinner to be hosted on October 24, 2009 in Lagos, Nigeria. The award will be presented by His Excellency Sir Dawda Jawara, the former President of the Republic of The Gambia.

“This award is the culmination of several years of considerable training and experience at the cockpit in managing controls, instruments, electronic communication and navigation equipment. This is an appropriate reward for her contribution to the growth and development of travel in Africa,” Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said.

“Her pioneering role as the first female African Airline Captain has opened up numerous opportunities for other ladies in Africa, extending the available pool of skilled manpower in the continent,” said Naikuni.

Kenya Airways has over 340 pilots of which four are female captains and 22 female co-pilots who are in charge of over 130 daily flights. The airline flies to 45 destinations from its hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.   

In the year to March 31, 2009, a total of 112 pilots went through Kenya Airways transition training to qualify in different fleets. Recruitment of Ab-initio pilots continued with 26 Ab-initio pilots and 15 direct entry pilots joining the company, he added.

Africa Travel Awards are annual rewards for players, pioneers and institutions in travel and tourism sector in Africa.