The aerospace industry is “not where it needs to be” in terms of the gender balance within its workforce, said Jane Hoskisson, director, talent, learning, engagement and diversity at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Speaking during the Bahrain International Airshow in November about diversity, she said: “It’s not where it needs to be.

“We are very familiar with women being in the cabin, but we don’t necessarily see that in the flight deck, we don’t necessarily see it in operations, in ground handling, so there is still quite a lot to do.

“That is why we are doing 25by2025 to increase the representation of women at senior levels, because I think it is really important that you show role models.”

25by2025

IATA’s 25by2025 initiative is a key enabler of this change. The programme aims to increase the number of women in senior positions by either 25 per cent against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25 per cent by 2025.

Hoskisson said women pilots represent less than 10 per cent of total pilots, and that that needed to change in the coming years.

So far, more than 50 signatories have committed to the initiative.

They include major airlines such as British Airways and American Airlines, and ground handlers Swissport and Menzies Aviation.
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