Zoya Agarwal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zoya Agarwal
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Delhi, India
|
| Occupation | Aircraft pilot |
| Employer | Air India |
Zoya Agarwal is an amazing Indian pilot. She flies big airplanes for Air India. In 2021, she led a special flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru. This flight was important because it was one of the longest non-stop flights in the world. What made it even more special? The entire crew, from the pilots to the flight attendants, were all women!
Contents
Zoya's Journey as a Pilot
Zoya Agarwal started her journey as a pilot with Air India. In 2006, a newspaper called The Times of India wrote about her. They saw her as a bright, rising female pilot in India.
Flying Big Planes
By 2013, Zoya achieved something incredible. She became the youngest woman pilot in India to fly a Boeing 777. This is a very large and powerful airplane.
A Heroic Act in the Sky
In 2015, Zoya showed how quick-thinking and brave she is. She was flying a plane to New York when a passenger became very sick. The passenger had trouble breathing. Zoya made a quick decision to turn the plane around. She landed it back at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. This allowed the passenger to get to a hospital quickly. Her actions helped save a life.
Helping During Tough Times
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Government of India started a mission. It was called the Vande Bharat Mission. This mission helped bring many Indians home from different countries. Zoya was chosen to be a co-pilot on one of the first flights for this important mission.
Leading an All-Woman Crew
In 2021, Zoya Agarwal made history. She was the captain of an all-woman crew. They flew the first direct flight from San Francisco, USA, to Bengaluru, India. This was one of the longest non-stop air routes in the world. It was a huge achievement for women in aviation.
Later that month, Zoya and her crew appeared on the TV show Indian Idol. They were part of a special episode for Republic Day. Also in 2021, the United Nations chose Zoya. She became a spokesperson for their Generation Equality program. This program works for gender equality around the world.
Honored for Her Work
In August 2022, Zoya Agarwal received a special honor. The aviation museum at San Francisco International Airport in the U.S. recognized her. They celebrated her amazing career in aviation. They also honored her efforts to support women's empowerment.
New Flight Paths
Zoya Agarwal also helped pilot Air India's first Boeing 777 over the Hindu Kush mountains. She flew with copilots R Someshwar, Sandeep Mukhedkar, and Abhay Agarwal. This new route made flights from Delhi to North America much shorter. Before, planes had to take a longer way because Afghan airspace was closed.
