On Friday, 6 March, Luxair successfully repatriated 181 passengers from the Middle East. In the cockpit of flight LG2120 were Captain Laurent Donteri and co-pilot Jil Kalmes. Kalmes has been working with Luxair for two and a half years. After arriving at Findel Airport, RTL had the opportunity to speak with Kalmes, who shared what was different about this repatriation flight compared to others and how she processed the experience.
From a young age, Kalmes was captivated by the world of aviation. Her fascination with how something so massive could take flight, and the ability of humans to pilot such machines, drove her to become a pilot. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalled the sense of wonder she felt flying as a passenger, never imagining she would one day pilot the very aircraft she once holidayed in.
Even now, every time she arrives at work, she takes a moment to appreciate the aircraft, revelling in the accomplishment of flying a plane that seemed so magical in her youth.
Kalmes described her job as a dream come true, offering the chance to work with different people every day. At Luxair, she enjoys a sense of camaraderie among colleagues and the unique perspectives from above that few experience.
She contests the fact that aviation is a male-dominated field, stating that she experiences equality and that she frequently receives positive comments from passengers who catch a glimpse into the cockpit.
Regarding the recent repatriation flight, Kalmes noted that it felt like any other routine flight while airborne. The real challenge, she said, was on the ground, where there was significant coordination required, something not typical of everyday operations.
The pace of recent days has been intense, with little time to process the experiences due to the constant travel and planning. Kalmes anticipates that once she returns home and shares her experiences with her family, she’ll gain a deeper appreciation of what she and her team have accomplished in recent days.
Though relatively new to flying Boeings, Kalmes said she enjoys flights to the Canary Islands, and London City has been a favourite destination. She added that Nice is also among the appealing locations she has flown to.
Recently, she completed her first flight as a co-pilot to Madeira. She eagerly anticipates future flights that promise extensive learning opportunities due to varying weather conditions and the need for constant vigilance.
