IATA represents 290 airlines comprising 82% of global air traffic. The 25by2025 initiative, launched earlier this year, sets several goals for its member airlines, including increasing the number of women in senior positions and underrepresented jobs, such as pilots or operations, to a minimum of 25%. Additionally, it calls for transparency by inviting airlines to report key diversity metrics annually.

Kirsten Rehmann who has been General Director of Hahn Air since 2012, commented: “For Hahn Air, gender equality has always been part of our corporate ethos and I am immensely pleased to champion this initiative that recognises the need for a change. I believe that this campaign is a big step in the right direction and will play an important role in driving gender equality forward within the industry. I strongly believe that we need diversity in every sense of the word, and not limited to gender, to create the best work culture and ultimately make the best decisions and achieve the best results.”

Hahn Air’s Head of Human Resources, Martina Wiesmann, added: “We at Hahn Air are proud of our diverse and inclusive workplace that cultivates a climate of respect, equity and positive recognition. It has always been our company’s mindset to appoint the best candidates, irrespective of their gender, and disregarding potentially discriminating factors such as part-time employment, motherhood or potential future pregnancies. The result is that we have an excellent workforce across all hierarchy levels, and we also not only meet, but surpass the desired gender ratio with 39% of women in leadership positions and 30% of female pilots. As we will continue committing to an employment culture where people of every gender have the opportunity to achieve their potential, we expect this ratio to further improve towards gender equality.” 

“We welcome Hahn Air’s commitment to the 25by2025 campaign. We need a skilled, diverse and gender balanced workforce to meet the growing needs of our customers. Aviation is the business of freedom. And 25by2025 will help this important global industry be an even better employment opportunity for all people looking to make their career by linking the world,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. 

The 25by2025 Campaign is a voluntary commitment by participating IATA member airlines. Key among the commitments of airlines participating in the 25by2025 Campaign are:

• Increasing the number of women in senior positions (to be defined by the member airlines) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to minimum representation of 25% by 2025
• Increasing the number of women in under-represented jobs (e.g. pilots and operations) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025
• Reporting annually on key diversity metrics
  

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 5% (1) of the global pilot population and 3% (2) of CEOs, the gender imbalance in the industry is clear.

“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,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

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 (Directors and above) from the current 19% to at least 25% by 2025
• Working 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
• Ensuring that the number of women participating as panelists/speakers at IATA conferences is a minimum of 25% 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.

At the 2019 World Air Transport Summit, the first winners of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards were announced. The 25by2025 Campaign adds to this and other IATA efforts to address gender diversity in the airline industry.