Air India Expands Opportunities for Women Across Aviation Roles
As India’s aviation sector continues to expand, Air India is focusing on building a workforce that will support the industry’s future. Alongside fleet additions and operational developments, the airline is investing in training, infrastructure and talent development to create opportunities for aviation professionals.
Several upcoming initiatives are part of this effort. These include a flying training school in Amravati, an aircraft maintenance training school in Bengaluru, a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, and the Air India Training Academy. Along with the airline’s fleet expansion plans, these developments are expected to create new pathways for people entering the aviation sector. Women are expected to play a growing role in this evolving workforce.
Air India has also introduced programmes designed to encourage women to pursue careers across different areas of aviation and leadership. These include roles such as pilots, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance engineers, airport operations professionals, security personnel and commercial teams.
Among the initiatives is #HerMatters, which supports women employees as they navigate significant life events. Another programme, #MakingOurMothersSoar, focuses on supporting mothers returning to work. The airline has also introduced digital learning opportunities to help women build professional skills and advance their careers.
Women currently make up 84 percent of Air India’s cabin crew workforce. Their presence is also increasing across operational areas. In airport operations, women’s representation has grown from 24 percent to 31 percent over the past two years. In the security function, it has increased from 14 percent to 22 percent.
Women are also contributing to teams in Digital and Technology and Flight Operations, areas that support daily airline operations. Women pilots currently account for 16 percent of Air India’s pilot workforce, compared with a global average of around five percent.
To highlight these journeys, Air India recently released a video featuring women employees from across the organisation. The video addresses common assumptions about women working in aviation and highlights the range of roles they hold within the airline.
In the video, employees from various departments share their responses to questions reflecting the stereotypes they have encountered during their careers. Participants represent areas including engineering, flight operations, ground services, safety and corporate functions.
The second part of the video reveals each participant’s role within Air India, highlighting the variety of responsibilities women hold across the organisation. By presenting these experiences, the video aims to encourage wider conversations about representation in aviation and help more young women consider careers across the industry.
Leave a comment