Flying during the pandemic is the new normal, says IndiGo cabin crew member Asma Abid Khokhar

Today is International Cabin Crew Day, a day that celebrates and recognises the efforts and dedication of people who ensure your comfort when you fly.

As restrictions following the lockdown is being slowly lifted in India, domestic flights also began operations from May 25. This has put additional pressure on airline staff, on ground and on the flights, with the risk of contracting the coronavirus high due to the movement of passengers.

These group of young men and women, whom we sometimes take for granted, are the unsung heroes of today – risking their lives to perform their duties during the pandemic.

Unsung heroes

Asma Abid Khokhar is one such cabin crew member who has started flying after domestic flights were resumed. The 34-year-old hails from Mount Abu in Rajasthan, and is currently based in Ahmedabad.

A cabin crew member with IndiGo for the past 13 years, Asma says she was looking forward to getting back to work after the lockdown. But on getting the first roster, she felt anxious.

“I felt I was going for my first flight again as cabin crew. I literally went back to 2007 when I joined the aviation industry. I was having butterflies in my stomach. I felt it’s another beginning. Undoubtedly, I was scared due to the current scenario, but I had trust in IndiGo and safety measures in place,” she tells HerStory.

Her first flight last week was from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, and then to Dehradun. Though visibly anxious, Asma soon realised that this was going to be the “new normal” for everyone.

“We are wearing enhanced protection, with a gown giving full protection. The aircrafts are getting cleaned at every touchpoint. They get complete deep cleaning after and before every flight. We are practising social distancing at all times. We are even handing over a safety kit to the passengers at the boarding gate to make sure they are covered. The tray tables, armrests, overhead nozzles, lavatories, and galleys will receive special attention, given the frequency of contact.”

“We have to sanitise, we have to wear gloves, masks, and face shield, and we have to wear hazmat suit prior to leaving home, office, or aircraft. I thought we looked like cute and brave ninjas,” she adds with a laugh.

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Safety is priority

Asma also realised it doesn’t matter what they wear or how they look, because at the end of the day, safety is their first priority, along with fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.

Though she missed the interaction with passengers, she says the cabin crew maintain eye contact and smile at them. She believes that it’s important to maintain the equanimity despite any situation.

Is she unsettled or frightened by the number of cases of coronavirus among passengers, especially those who flew on IndiGo?

Asma says, it’s natural for everyone to feel scared, but she is glad to be flying with IndiGo as all safety precautions are in place. Coming from a family that has many medical staff, all frontline warriors during the pandemic, their support, along with her will-power, has helped handle the uncertainty.

“Well, I have a different case here as I don’t need to give any assurance to my family. My family has always been supportive, and it’s them who did everything for me. My family is into medical field, hence I have seen them always as a front-line warrior. It was also a learning lesson for me,” she says.

There’s nothing that will stop Asma, including a pandemic to quit flying.

“Ever since I finished high school and started classes at FrankFinn, I knew I wanted to be a member of a cabin crew. It has been my dream always. More than that, I’d like to retire as a cabin crew only,” Asma says.

She sees a bright future for herself at IndiGo, as it has a number of departments that will allow her to grow in her career.

“I want to learn as much as I can to reach a managerial position. I would love if I get an opportunity to manage and nurture a team into successful workers,” she adds.

Till then, she will continue to fly, braving the pandemic and endeavouring to put others at ease as they too grapple the tough times.