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Garuda Indonesia names Ida Fiqriah first female pilot to attain captain's rank
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Outstanding achievement: Garuda Indonesia operational director Capt. Novianto Harupratomo inaugurates Ida Fiqriah as the national flag carrier's first female pilot to reach the rank of captain of Boeing B737-800 NG, a narrow body-style aircraft. (Tribunnews.com/File)
N
ational flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has inducted Ida Fiqriah as its first female pilot to reach the rank of captain of Boeing B737-800 NG planes, a narrow body-style aircraft, after she successfully recorded 10,585 flight hours.
It is hoped Ida can later also become the first female pilot captain for wide-body aircraft.
Garuda Indonesia operational director Capt. Novianto Harupratomo personally pinned a Boeing B737-800 Bar Captain rating emblem on Ida in a ceremony on Wednesday.
“It’s not by chance that the induction ceremony coincides with Kartini Day, which will be celebrated across the nation on April 21. This moment clearly shows that Garuda Indonesia gives equal opportunities to anyone who shows top work performance in their profession,” said Novianto in a press statement.
(Read also: Miss Universe visits Garuda Indonesia Training Center)
He further said that attaining the position of pilot captain was not easy and took a lot of hard work, adding that Capt. Ida Fiqriah’s achievements had made her an Ibu Kartini of the modern era and it was hoped that her career developments would inspire all women in Indonesia.
Ida has also had the longest career at Garuda of any of the company’s female pilots. She has now flown for Garuda for around 18 years. Her career began in 1999 as a first officer or co-pilot. Graduating from aviation school PLP Curug in Tangerang, Banten, in 1999, Ida has piloted various Garuda Indonesia aircraft, starting with the Boeing B737-300/400/500 series and the wide-body Airbus A330-300/200.
Of Garuda Indonesia’s 1,380 pilots, only 30 of them are women. “We hope the induction of Ida Fiqriah as a pilot captain can motivate all female pilots in this company,” said Novianto. (saf)
