The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has officially joined the Women in Aviation and Aerospace (WiAA) Charter, reinforcing its commitment to promoting gender diversity in the aviation industry.
With women making up just 6% of pilots in the UK, BALPA’s decision to sign the Charter marks a significant step towards increasing representation and fostering an inclusive environment for women pursuing careers in aviation. By supporting this initiative, BALPA aims to advocate for meaningful change and ensure that women have equal opportunities to develop and succeed in piloting and other aviation roles.
BALPA announced the move on International Women’s Day (March 8). Speaking about the decision, General Secretary Amy Leversidge stated: “We are delighted to sign up to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter. A third of our National Executive Council are women and we are proud to lead by example in aviation.”
The WiAA Charter is dedicated to increasing female leadership within the industry, and BALPA’s involvement strengthens its efforts to drive positive change. As a union representing 10,000 highly trained flight deck professionals, BALPA plays a crucial role in shaping policies that support equality in aviation.
Welcoming BALPA’s support, WiAA Charter co-chairs Victoria Foy and Sumati Sharma expressed their enthusiasm, stating: “We’re delighted to welcome BALPA, our first aviation-specific union to be a Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter signatory. Females make up just 5% of commercial pilots, and BALPA’s commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion to all who pursue this journey is admirable.”
Leversidge further emphasised the importance of collaboration in driving change, adding: “Anyone with the talent and skills to be a pilot should have the opportunity to do so. It is only by working together that we can break down barriers and create a future where women have equal representation and opportunity in aviation.”
This partnership represents a key milestone in the journey towards greater diversity, inclusion, and equality within the aviation sector.
