India is setting a new global standard in aviation, thanks to its remarkable number of women pilots. Discover how the country is breaking stereotypes and soaring ahead with female talent in the cockpit.
India is breaking stereotypes in the aviation sector and is a global role model, as it has the highest percentage of women pilots in the world. With 15% of its total pilots being women, it far exceeds the global average, which is just 5-6%. This achievement is not merely reflected in numbers; it is proof of the perseverance, talent, and determination of Indian women, who are constantly overcoming social and professional stereotypes in one of the most male-dominated industries.
India’s soaring success: A global anomaly
According to data from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 15% of pilots in the country are women, a percentage that demonstrates the significant progress India has made in promoting equality and inclusion in the aviation industry. A 2021 report by the International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISWAP) ranked India at the top of the global ranking for gender equality in the cockpit, with Ireland (9.9%), South Africa (9.8%), and Australia (7.5%) following.
Recent data reveals that out of India’s total of 26,539 pilots, 1,767 are women. The airline IndiGo, the largest in the country, employs 791 women pilots, a number that corresponds to 15.28% of its workforce. Alliance Air, however, records the highest percentage of women in proportion, with women making up 17.36% of its pilots. Other large companies such as Air India (15.62%) and SpiceJet (16.39%) also record significant percentages.
This progress reflects not only the personal successes of women pilots but also the systematic efforts being made to enhance women’s participation in the aviation sector in India.
India continues to make impressive progress in the aviation sector, not only breaking down stereotypes but also adopting policies that practically support women pilots. Many Indian airlines have implemented measures such as flexible employment contracts that help balance personal and professional life, maternity leaves that do not negatively affect women’s careers, as well as childcare facilities that facilitate their return to work. These initiatives have created a supportive environment that allows more women to pursue and excel in aviation careers.
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For many years, aviation was considered a purely male domain. Social perceptions often deterred women from seeking a place in the cockpit. However, Indian women have repeatedly broken down these stereotypes.
From male domain to equal skies
Significant milestones in this journey include Nivedita Bhasin, who in 1989 became the youngest female commercial flight commander worldwide, as well as the inclusion of women pilots in the Indian Air Force in the 1990s for transport and helicopter missions. Today, women pilots in India are not limited to flying aircraft; they participate in complex operations, take on leadership roles, and prove that ability has no gender.
Research has shown that women pilots exhibit lower accident rates compared to their male counterparts and demonstrate a high level of safety in aircraft operation. Skills such as empathy, active listening, and the ability to respond to multiple demands simultaneously, make women exceptionally capable in high-pressure environments.
Countries with highest percentage of women pilots:
🇮🇳 India: 15%
🇮🇪 Ireland 9.9%
🇿🇦 South Africa: 9.8%
🇦🇺 Australia: 7.5%
🇨🇦 Canada: 7.0%
🇩🇪 Germany: 6.9%
🇺🇸 United States: 5.5%
🇬🇧 UK: 4.7%
🇳🇿 New Zealand: 4.5%
🇶🇦 Qatar: 2.4%
🇯🇵 Japan: 1.3%
🇸🇬 Singapore: 1.0%🌍 World: 5.8%…
— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) February 10, 2024
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Women in aviation continue to face social pressures, lack of mentorship, and low representation in leadership positions. To maintain and strengthen India’s success in this field, more mentorship programs specifically for women need to be created, women need to be promoted to managerial positions, and gender stereotypes need to be combated through education and awareness.
This article was originally published by on the Marie Claire Greece website.
Translated and syndicated for Marie Claire Nigeria by Tobi Afolabi
