It's 2018. At the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) annual conference in Sydney, Qatar Airways' former CEO Akbar al Baker declares that only a man could lead his airline, "because it is a very challenging position". That same year, journalist Angela Epstein appears on one of the UK's most watched morning shows to discuss the topic: "Would you trust a female pilot?" "If there's someone in a position of absolute power and control," she said, "then I'd like it to be a man". TUI Airways, meanwhile, takes heat for handing out "future pilot" stickers to boys and "future cabin crew" ones to girls.
And while it's true that no formal barriers prohibit women from pursuing commercial or military careers in aviation, a patriarchal cloud still lingers over the industry. Despite constituting half of the population, various sources reveal that women make up only 5 per cent of commercial pilots, 18 per cent of flight dispatchers, 26 per cent of air traffic controllers and less than 9 per cent of aerospace engineers. Additionally, of the directorate, women hold only 14 per cent of C-suite roles and account for just 3 per cent of CEOs across the world's top 100 aviation organisations. In fact, the only aviation career where women are not currently outnumbered is within cabin crew.
The truth is, ever since the Wright Brothers took that first flight in 1903, women have remained largely erased and discouraged from aviation. How many of us can say we knew their sister, Katharine, who was instrumental in running the company? But here's the good news - the tide is turning. And not just under the pressure of do-gooding corporate targets, but thanks to passionate, vocation-led trailblazers and increasingly credible business cases that weigh in favour of diverse teams.
SOARING DEMAND
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Business Traveller UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Business Traveller UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The Hotel Maria, Helsinki
The hotel introduces a new era of luxury Nordic hospitality to the Finnish capital
Casa de las Artes, Madrid
The Melia Collection’s debut in mainland Spain has an artistic wow factor
Emirates Boeing 777 business class
An updated business class cabin offers a mixed experience
Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
Marriott's Moxy brand debuted in Brooklyn in March 2023, marking the brand's sixth property in New York
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63
The roomier four-door coupé offers comfort and performance
EXTRA DAY Singapore
Explore the Lion City's fascinating heritage, food and culture
ART INNOVATOR
Hannah Brandler chats to Takashi Kudo, a member of teamLab - the international art collective from Japan
LAST ORDERS
Should we limit alcohol sales to prevent passengers behaving badly? Our columnist hopes not...
THE BIG INTERVIEW WITH DILLIP RAJAKARIER CEO MINOR HOTELS
BIOGRAPHY - Dillip Rajakarier joined Minor Hotels in 2007 as chief finance and investment officer. At the time, the group had a portfolio of 12 hotels concentrated in Southeast Asia. Since taking the reins as CEO in 2011, he has driven the company's rapid global expansion, which today includes more than 550 properties in 60 countries.
2025 Travel wish list
Looking for travel inspiration for the year ahead? We ask our team of international editors what's on their radar