Aviation has always had a particularly wide gender gap. While women account for the great majority of flight attendants, it’s still quite rare to see them in the cockpit. However, companies like Alpha Aviation Group (AAG) are trying to change this by developing solutions to the root causes of this problem. Bhanu Choudhrie, founder of AAG, has many ideas on how the aviation industry can increase the number of female pilots.
Overview
A recent survey by UK recruitment firm Search Consultancy shows that the aviation industry has the second lowest gender diversity, with only construction ranking lower. There were about 290,000 commercial pilots in the world as of 2021, but only 5 per cent of them were female. This imbalance is well-established in aviation, although ideas about gender-based roles are starting to change. However, challenging these long-held beliefs requires more work to open new opportunities for women in the cockpit.
Social Factors
The low numbers of female pilots is due to a combination of social factors, starting with widespread beliefs about the types of jobs that people should perform based on their gender. In addition, the irregular schedule of commercial pilots is a greater challenge for women, especially those responsible for raising children. Furthermore, few experienced female pilots are available to serve as role models for women trying to break into the industry.
Social customs also play a role in the occupation of women, depending on the region. For example, women in the Middle East have been traditionally prohibited from working at night, making female pilots impractical. However, these restrictions are beginning to ease in Saudi Arabia, where landmark legislation has recently been passed that allows women to work at night.
Economic Factors
There are also economic factors that make it more difficult for women to become pilots. Training is longer and more expensive than it is for many other occupations, which is often a greater challenge for women. The lack of a well-defined career path for women can also make aviation a financially risky career choice.
Recent Trends
The prevalence of women in aviation has been slowly increasing in recent years. About three per cent of pilots were female in 2015, which increased to five per cent in 2021. Changing attitudes about gender roles are the primary reason for this trend, especially in countries with historical restrictions on occupations for women. Bhanu Choudhrie reports that AAG trained Ghada Al Rousi, who became the first female pilot from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fly for Air Arabia.
In addition, airlines and pilot schools are making stronger efforts to increase the accessibility of training for women. For example, AAG implemented its Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) programme, which places a greater emphasis on simulator training than traditional programmes. This change makes training shorter and less expensive, opening opportunities for cadets with fewer financial resources. The MPL programme is also more flexible, which is particularly advantageous for women.
Covid-19
Aviation was one of the hardest-hit industries during the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in mass lay-offs due to the combination of cancelled flights, grounded fleets and closed airports. Many pilots were either furloughed or outright terminated during this period, which left many pilots questioning their careers. These layoffs were typically based on seniority, erasing much of the gains that women had previously made in aviation.
Airlines and training facilities need to work closely if they are to provide the continuity needed to recover from this crisis. Bhanu Choudhrie reports that AAG has also implemented new training programmes in coordination with industry regulators. An increased use of e-learning methods is one of the most significant changes AAG is making, which will help training facilities comply with social distancing mandates as and when required.
It’s important to develop programmes that support women in aviation now, as air travel opens up. The demand for trained pilots will likely increase to pre-covid levels in the near future, providing greater opportunities for women as we emerge from the pandemic.
Summary
While the aviation industry has already made significant strides in closing its gender gap, Bhanu Choudhrie advises that it must continue challenging gender roles. Positive female role models and career guidance for women are crucial to increasing the number of female pilots. Aviation businesses must also maintain a proactive approach to placing more women in the cockpit due to the long training period pilots require.
