Africa’s first female Dreamliner captain, Irene Koki Mutungi on Saturday, October 22, was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Aviator Africa Conference and Tower Awards held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a statement released by Kenya Airways, the captain was honoured in the fourth edition of the award for her efforts and achievements in the aviation industry.
The theme of the year’s conference was Sustainability of African Aviation, which sought to promote the development and sustainability of African Aviation and its allied industries.
In addition, KQ's Head of Network Planning, Martin Gitonga won the coveted Sustainability award- representing the only two Kenyans feted at the award ceremony.
"Congratulations Captain Irene Koki and Martin Gitonga, KQ Head of Network Planning for the wins at the Aviator Africa Conference and Tower Awards."
"Captain Koki was inducted into the Hall of Fame while Martin won Sustainability Award, "read part of the statement.
Regarded as a lady of many firsts, she made history by becoming the first female on the African continent to be certified as a Captain of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
She was hired as the national carrier's first female pilot in 1995 and served as the only female pilot for six years.
In addition, Koki became the first African woman to command a commercial aircraft, the Boeing 737 in 2004.
In September 2014, she was the designated Captain on the Nairobi to Paris route on the B787. In 2018, she commanded KQ's non-stop maiden flight to New York, USA- a flight on which former President Uhuru Kenyatta was on board.
Koki has transcended aviation during her two-decade career. She followed the footsteps of her father, Captain Joe Mutungi, a seasoned pilot in the 1990s.
During a past interview, Koki revealed that her historic moment was when she commanded a flight alongside her father.
