Malawian Airlines first female captain, who was trained at Ethiopian Aviation Academy commanded her first flight on March 11, 2016 at Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe.

After completing her training at Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Captain Yolanda Kaunda became Malawian Airlines first female captain on the Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Kassim Geresu, CEO Malawian Airlines, congratulated the Captain and said, “Captain Yolanda has been a role model to most young girls and women out there. She has just showed that everything is possible in this life as long as hard work, dedication, integrity and discipline are all put together. I would say, indeed her achievement is paving the way for many girls and young Malawians especially those dreaming to be a pilot.”

Malawi follows after the footsteps of Zimbabwe which re-wrote its aviation history last year when the country witnessed its first all female flight deck crew flying Air Zimbabwe’s Boeing 737.

In another historic moment in Zimbabwe, Ellen Chiweshe was in January promoted to become the country’s first female air commodore.