MOTEREAL: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a campaign to expand the number of women employed aviation by 25 per cent over the next five years, with a particular focus on under-represented areas such as pilots and senior executives.
Called 25by2025, the campaign is a voluntary commitment by participating IATA member airlines, with the likes of China Eastern, Lufthansa Group and Qatar Airways already signed up.
Efforts to increase the number of females working in aviation come amid strong demand for new pilots as airline fleets were expected to double over the next two decades in response to the growth in air travel.
While there was currently no comprehensive airline industry-wide gender diversity reporting, IATA said the best estimates showed women made up about five per cent of the global pilot population and three per cent of aviation Chief Executives.
IATA Director General and Chief Executive Alexandre de Juniac said the 25by2025 campaign was designed to be an enabling framework for actions already being undertaken by the industry, allowing it to continue building on the work already begun.
“Airlines understand the value that a diverse and gender-balanced workforce delivers,” de Juniac said in a statement on September 26.
“The 25by2025 Campaign provides a global context and encouragement for the many initiatives our members are already taking to address the gender imbalance.
“I am confident that 25by2025 will be a major catalyst for progress – progress that will set the industry up to achieve even more in this important area.
“Our work will not be done in 2025, in fact, this is only the beginning. Our ultimate aim is of course for a 50-50 gender split with equal opportunities for everyone in every part of our industry.”
