The first group of 15 Tibetan air stewardesses took their maiden flight this week.

The stewardesses were chosen from 300 applicants from various parts of Tibet. Before they boarded the plane to work for the first time the young ladies attended a three-and-a-half-month training course in Chengdu. There they studied specialized skills, English, service and emergency handling techniques.

They are scheduled to work on Southwest China Airlines flights and serve English and Tibetan-speaking passengers as well as those who speak Chinese.

"The first dream in my life has come true in the beginning of the new century. I hope more dreams will be fulfilled in future," said a stewardess.

(Eastday.com 01/04/2001)