The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the 25by2025 campaign, an airline industry initiative to advance gender diversity in the airline industry by 2025.
The 25by2025 campaign is a voluntary commitment by participating IATA member airlines. Key among the commitments of airlines participating in the 25by2025 campaign are to increase the number of women in senior positions (to be defined by the member airlines) by either 25 per cent against currently reported metrics or to minimum representation of 25 per cent by 2025; and to increase the number of women in under-represented jobs, like pilots and operations, by either 25 per cent against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25 per cent by 2025.
IATA member airlines who have already signed up to the 25by2025 campaign include China Eastern, Lufthansa Group and Qatar Airways.
There is currently no comprehensive airline industry-wide gender diversity statistical report. But with women representing around five per cent of the global pilot population and three per cent of CEOs, the gender imbalance in the industry is clear.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “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.
“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.”
In addition to the commitments from member airlines under the 25by2025 campaign, IATA will also be making the following commitments:
Increasing the representation of women in IATA’s senior management, referring to the director level and above, from the current 19 per cent to at least 25 per cent by 2025
Working with member airlines to increase the number of women they appoint to IATA governance roles from the current 17 per cent to a minimum of 25 per cent by 2025
Ensuring that the number of women participating as panelists or speakers at IATA conferences hits a minimum of 25 per cent by 2025
Creating a forum for sharing diversity and inclusion initiatives and best practices across the industry and publishing annual industry statistics on gender diversity
