IATA unveils 25by2025 Campaign to boost gender diversity

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the launch of its 25by2025 Campaign, an airline industry initiative to advance gender diversity in the airline industry by 2025.

With women representing only 5% of the global pilot population and just 3% of CEOs, the gender imbalance in the industry is clear, according to IATA. The 25by2025 Campaign is designed to fix this imbalance and improve gender diversity in the airline industry.

ADDRESSING THE IMBALANCE

Airlines that sign up to IATA’s 25by2025 Campaign have to make three commitments. The first of these involves increasing the number of women in senior positions (defined by the member airlines) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025. The second commitment involves increasing the number of women in under-represented jobs (such as pilots and operations) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025.

Finally, the third commitment requires reporting annually on key diversity metrics. Currently, there is no comprehensive airline industry-wide gender diversity statistical report. 

IATA member airlines that have already signed up to the 25by2025 Campaign include China Eastern, Lufthansa Group and Qatar Airways, confirmed IATA.

VALUING GENDER DIVERSITY

Commenting on the campaign, Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of IATA, stated: “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.

“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.”

Juniac is confident that the 25by2025 Campaign will be a “major catalyst for progress”. “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,” he added.

IATA’s first Diversity and Inclusion Awards were announced at the World Air Transport Summit this year. The 25by2025 Campaign adds to this initiative and other IATA efforts to address gender diversity in the airline industry.

IATA COMMITMENTS

In addition to the commitments made by member airlines under the 25by2025 Campaign, IATA confirmed it will also make the following commitments:

• Increase the representation of women in IATA’s senior management (directors and above) from the current 19% to at least 25% by 2025.

• Work with member airlines to increase the number of women they appoint to IATA governance roles from the current 17% to a minimum of 25% by 2025.

• Ensure that the number of women participating as panelists/speakers at IATA conferences is a minimum of 25% by 2025.

• Create a forum for sharing diversity and inclusion initiatives and best practices across the industry, and publishing annual industry statistics on gender diversity.