New Delhi: When AI 176, a Boeing 777 of Air India touched down at Bengaluru's Kempegowda airport in the early hours of January 11, 2021, it was making history on several counts. The flight is the inaugural long-haul service of Air India from San Francisco to Bengaluru, connecting the Silicon Valley of the United States and India. The flight flew trans-Atlantic over the North Pole for over 17 hours nonstop, covering one of the longest air distances in the world.
But the most important milestone about the flight is that it was piloted by an all-women crew on the flight deck, making India proud. Representing Indian Oil Aviation Service, the proud fuel partner to Air India's Executive Director (Aviation), HO Sanjay Sahay, and Chief General Manager (CGM) (Aviation), SR Hemant Rathore were at the Bengaluru Airport during the flight's landing at 03.45 am to welcome and greet the crew.
When Sahay remarked to Captain Zoya Aggarwal and the crew members that only Air India could have achieved such a feat, the team gracefully acknowledged the honour of being part of the historic flight and the support of Indian Oil as the fueling partner. The Indian Oil team also greeted the Air India officials including Executive Director (Commercial) Melvin D Silva and AGM (Commercial) Bama Cariappa who were present on the occasion at the Airport.
The maiden return service of the flight from Bengaluru to San Francisco was refueled by Indian Oil Aviation Service at Bengaluru. Sanjay Sahay, DL Pramodh, Executive Director & State Head, Indian Oil – Karnataka and senior Air India officials lit the traditional lamp to mark the return journey of the flight. The crew of the return flight joined the celebrations on the occasion.
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