For most parents, watching their child follow in their footsteps is a proud moment. For 53-year-old Batik Air Malaysia captain Razali Abdul Aziz, that moment came 35,000 feet above the ground.
Last Monday, Razali and his 26-year-old eldest daughter, Fatin Dayini, operated flight OD297/298 on the Kuala Lumpur–Colombo–Kuala Lumpur route, marking the first time the father-daughter duo sharing the same cockpit.
Professional first, father and daughter second
Although it was an emotional milestone, Razali said both of them remained fully focused on their responsibilities throughout the flight.
“When the cockpit door closed, we carried out our duties professionally, just like any other flight crew,” he said. He admitted feeling proud, touched and happy, but also a little awkward working alongside his own daughter in the same cockpit.
A dream that started In school
According to Razali, Fatin’s passion for aviation began while she was studying at MRSM Trolak before continuing her education at MRSM Taiping. He recalled that she was always curious about aircraft and the aviation industry, often asking him questions and even going through his work bag just to look at aviation-related items.
Those early signs eventually grew into a career, with Fatin following in her father’s footsteps as a pilot.
30 years of flying, now passing on the legacy
Razali began his aviation career in 1996 after earning a Diploma in Aviation and an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) from the Australian Air Academy in Tamworth, Australia.
Over the past three decades, he has logged more than 18,500 flying hours and now serves as a captain flying the Boeing 737.
Among the most meaningful moments during the flight, he said, was being able to guide his daughter through the take-off and landing procedures.
“To me, it felt like watching a legacy I had built over the years continue naturally,” he said.
“It’s difficult to describe the satisfaction of seeing your own child carry out the job so confidently and professionally.”
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