Kenya Airways Bids Emotional Farewell to Employee After 37 Years of Service

Kenya Airways on December 25 honoured veteran flight purser Asha Mohamed, who retired after 37 years of service with the national carrier, operating her final long-hour flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Nairobi.

In a statement, the airline praised Asha for her dedication and professionalism, describing her as a pillar of excellence within its in-flight team throughout her decades-long career.

“Throughout her years in the sky, Asha consistently embodied our value of customer obsession, leading with care, discipline, and an unwavering focus on delivering safe and memorable journeys,” Kenya Airways said in a statement.

“We thank you, Asha, for your immense contribution to our in-flight team and for a legacy built on excellence, leadership, and love for the KQ uniform, a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come,” the airline added.

During the 15-hour flight, passengers were informed that it would be Asha’s final journey as a crew member.

Kenya Airways Honors Asha Mohamed After 37 Years

A message from cabin crew manager Jason Mosen was read on board, describing her as a true ambassador of Kenya Airways.

“You have been a proud ambassador of the Kenya Airways spirit, and your immense contribution will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude,” the message read, wishing her good health and fulfillment in retirement.

The announcement was met with applause from passengers as Asha walked through the cabin, thanking them before rejoining her fellow crew members.

Asha, who joined Kenya Airways in 1988, attributed her long and successful career to faith, dedication, integrity, professionalism, and love for her work.

“It has been a journey full of ups and downs,” she said, reflecting on challenges such as retrenchments and financial difficulties the airline faced over the years.

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She stated that dedication and believing in the job kept her going.

Asha also paid tribute to her family, acknowledging the support they gave her throughout her demanding career in aviation, which often kept her away from home.

“I’m a mother of four teenagers, with my youngest now 20 years old. My husband and my extended family have really supported me through the years at Kenya Airways. Being away from family is never easy, but as Africans, we have strong extended families, and that support made all the difference,” said Asha.

Roles of a Flight Passer

A Flight Purser is a senior cabin crew position in aviation, particularly on commercial airlines. This role is essentially the manager or supervisor of the cabin crew team.

Some of the responsibilities include: 

– Overseeing and coordinating the work of other flight attendants, ensuring they perform their duties effectively and adhere to airline standards. 

– Focusing primarily on safety, which involves conducting briefings, managing emergency procedures, and addressing any in-flight issues. Flight attendants also handle passenger concerns, complaints, and special needs. 

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– Acting as the main point of communication between the cabin crew and pilots, relaying important information regarding the flight or passenger situations. 

– Managing the meal and beverage service to ensure a high standard of customer experience, especially on longer or premium flights.

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