Vogue Warriors: Meet the pilot who flew 263 Indians back to India from Italy as part of a COVID-19 rescue operation

It’s day 67 of the nationwide lockdown in India and you’d think it would be a pretty regular day for a mum of two: she’s experimented with a new recipe in the kitchen, ensured her five-year-old son Chanaksha has finished his school work and music lessons and entertained her 18-month-old baby girl Nandani, enjoyed an evening out on the terrace with the family and managed to sneak in some quality time over a glass of wine and a game of Teen Patti with her husband after reading to the kids and putting them to bed. Except Captain Swati Raval is also a national hero.

On March 22, the 40-year-old commander with India’s flag carrier airline, Air India, successfully led the crew that brought back 263 Indians stranded in Italy, the then hotspot of COVID-19. On Air India’s Boeing 777 from Rome to Delhi, passengers mainly included students, desperate to get home to their families when the Novel Coronavirus was declared a pandemic, shutting down Italy completely. “I still get goosebumps when I think about that flight. As a mother myself, I was extremely overwhelmed by the relief and joy I saw on those students' faces when they boarded the aircraft to fly home to their families,” says Captain Raval, in her first interview since the mission.

O Captain!

The flight, the second of rescue operations by India (the first being the Air India flight to Wuhan from where the virus originated), itself was a surreal experience. Unlike today, when airline authorities and personnel, as well as passengers, have more clarity on procedures to be followed while operating flights during the pandemic, in March, things were still in the planning process. The crew of 20 (led by Captain Raja Chauhan from Mumbai to Rome and then by Captain Raval on return), as well as the passengers on board, had to undergo a temperature and other medical tests to rule out COVID-19.

Meal boxes, bottles of water and juice packs were kept on each seat in advance. While passengers wore their masks and were provided with sanitisers, the crew went around the aisle in hazmat suits. Announcements were made every few hours to inform passengers not to move around, unless absolutely necessary—something that is unheard of on long-haul flights. “Everyone followed the rules to the T; they were just happy to be finally returning home,” says Captain Raval, “Every once in a while, they would clap and cheer for the crew. When we landed, there were celebrations all around. I am so proud of my crew and thankful to Air India for this opportunity.”

Returning to her apartment in Delhi’s Greater Kailash area, the 14-day self-quarantine was the most challenging part for the pilot. “When my son saw me, he ran toward me to hug me as he usually does. But I had to stop him and explain why he’d have to wait to come close to me. I knew my daughter would not understand as she is too little, so I had to hide from her in our own home. She did catch a glimpse of me once and started howling when she was stopped by my husband from coming to me, that was very tough,” she adds.

Call of duty

For Raval, however, there was no question of not answering her call of duty, despite her apprehensions as a mother, risking her own health by flying into a virus hotspot. Growing up, she had ambitions of becoming a fighter pilot and serving the country. Incidentally, the percentage of women pilots in the aviation industry in India is reported to stand at 12.4 per cent currently. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy in those days for women to get such positions in the military. I had to settle with becoming a commercial pilot instead, which is why I am so glad I got to serve my nation, even if in a small way,” says Raval modestly, adding that frontline workers from doctors to policemen have been a great source of inspiration.

Currently based in Delhi, Raval is originally from Bhavnagar in Gujarat. The family (she has three sisters and a brother) would move homes within the state every four years, depending on the posting of her forest officer father. “My father (SD Raval) is my biggest supporter, especially on the professional front. He never discriminated between his daughters and his son. While my mother (Hansa S Raval) inspired all of us with her continuous flow of love, care and patience for her family,” she says, giving us a glimpse into how her fearless personality came about.

Raval joined Air India in 2004 as the first officer, steadily rising to the rank of commander in 2013, and joining the Boeing 777 team that operates the US sector. Currently, she is a part of the team that has been operating cargo planes that have been flying to Shanghai, Dalian and Ganzhou in China to bring back emergency medical supplies for the country. “I’m lucky that I have a supportive husband [he has his own import/export business]. We ensure that one of us is always with the kids,” she says. Her pilot training has held her in good stead to handle not just work-related stress, but also her personal responsibilities. “Multitasking is easy for me,” she adds.

Stay cautious

What has not been easy for Captain Raval and her colleagues, however, is the ugly backlash many aviation employees have had to face, and continue to face from members of their own building societies. “I am one of the lucky few who lives in an understanding society, but many of my colleagues face harassment much like other frontline workers,” she says. “People think by doing our jobs we are putting their lives at risk too, which is not fair since we take all precautions when we return from a flight. Some of them have been abusing and even banging on the doors of my colleagues. This is just not done. Someone has to do these jobs and we are only doing our duty. We’re not asking for appreciation, but at least do not throw stones at us.”

With domestic flights operational since May 25, Raval hopes people will continue to stay cautious and follow safety instructions given by the government and airlines. “Just because the lockdown is eased does not mean the virus has disappeared. It is a grave situation. And while I am not saying we should just stay at home, we should definitely not take flights of fancy...like go to Goa just to have drinks! This is an unusual time and we need to be sensible,” says Raval.

The aviation industry has taken the biggest hit due to COVID-19, and Raval is hoping that she and her colleagues manage to survive this crisis. For now, she’s counting her blessings and enjoying her time at home, before being called for duty again when the Air India roster is out. “My son now wants to become a scientist and find a cure for a pandemic like COVID-19, should we ever face something like this again. He looks at me as a hero who united kids with their parents and I could not be happier to know he, as well as the rest of my family, is proud of me,” she signs off.

Vogue Warriors shines the spotlight on the women at the medical frontlines and essential services—doctors, nurses, scientists, innovators—alongside behind-the-scene heroes working tirelessly to help us through the ongoing pandemic.

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