Increasing the number of women in senior and under-represented roles by 2025 is a key aim of the program.
A new industry-wide initiative to improve gender balance in aviation has been launched by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The 25by2025 campaign is a voluntary commitment by IATA member airlines to “advance gender diversity in the airline industry” over the next six years.
It is widely agreed among a range of sources that women represent just 5% of pilots worldwide, and only 3% are CEOs.
Central tenets are aimed at increasing the number of women in senior roles and under-represented jobs by either 25% against the current metrics, or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025, as well as reporting annually on key diversity metrics.
This is only the beginning. Our ultimate aim is a 50-50 gender split with equal opportunities for everyone in every part of our industry
Recognizing the gender imbalance, IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said that the air transport industry must strive for change when it comes to diversity.
“Aviation is the business of freedom. An example of that is the freedom for 2.7 million women and men to develop exciting careers within this industry, but women are under-represented at senior levels and in some professions within airlines,” said de Juniac.
“Airlines understand the value that a diverse and gender-balanced workforce delivers. 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.”
IATA member airlines who have already signed up to the 25by2025 campaign include China Eastern, Lufthansa Group and Qatar Airways.
