INTERNATIONAL: Zara Rutherford is expected to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe when she is expected to return to Belgium on Monday, 17 January. She is only 19 years old.

In August, the 19-year-old British-Belgian has departed from Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in western Belgium on her 51,000 kilometres journey, spanning five continents and 52 countries, including the United States, Greenland, Russia and Colombia.

To meet the criteria for a round-the-world flight, Rutherford has designated two points opposite each other on the globe, Jambi in Indonesia and the Colombian town of Tumaco.

Aside from entering the record book, the teenager has expressed hope that her voyage will encourage girls and women to study and work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and spark girls' interest in aviation.

Rutherford is seeking the title held by Shaesta Wais, who became the youngest woman to fly solo round the world at age 30 in 2017. The youngest male record holder, Mason Andrews, was 18 years old when he made the journey in 2018.

Born to parents who are both pilots, Rutherford will start university this year, with the dream of becoming an astronaut.

^{PHOTO: FILE AND RECENT VIDEO OF BELGIAN-BRITISH PILOT, ZARA RUTHERFORD, WHO IS SET TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST WOMAN TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE GLOBE}