Japan Airlines has appointed its first female president – a former cabin attendant who has been serving as chief customer officer.

Mitsuko Tottori, who joined the company in 1985, was reported by Reuters as saying: “There are female employees out there who are struggling with their career steps or going through big life events.

“I hope my appointment as a president can encourage them, or give them the courage to take the next step.”

Last month, Amy Leversidge was elected as general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) in its 86-year history.

Leversidge, who was assistant general secretary at the FDA, took up her post on January 8.

She said: “I am honoured to become BALPA’s General Secretary. I am looking forward to working with the excellent staff and elected reps to ensure BALPA continues to deliver real outcomes for pilots across the UK and is a strong and influential voice for the piloting profession.

“The airline industry contributes significantly to the UK economy and supports over a million jobs and pilots are at the heart of the industry. As the voice of UK pilots, BALPA will ensure our voice is influential with employers, regulators and government on the many challenges the airline industry faces.

“It is a privilege to be BALPA’s general secretary and to make history as the first woman in this vital leadership position in the union. I will work tirelessly for every member to ensure pilots are valued by all of our employers; to ensure we are influential around the opportunities and challenges in the future of the aviation industry; and most importantly that we focus on BALPA’s core principles of safety, strength and unity.”
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