India’s aviation sector is witnessing a steady rise in the number of women professionals, particularly in cockpit roles. Data shared by leading airlines IndiGo and Air India ahead of International Women’s Day shows that the proportion of women pilots in India is significantly higher than the global average.
According to IndiGo, women pilots now make up 17.5 per cent of its total pilot workforce, which is more than three times the global average. The airline currently has over 1,000 women pilots and women constitute more than 45 per cent of its overall workforce.
Women making strides in aviation
IndiGo stated that women are increasingly taking up roles across multiple departments in the organisation.
Women account for over 30 per cent of airport operations staff, nearly 25 per cent of the operations control centre workforce, and over 20 per cent in the finance division. In the airline’s digital segment, women represent more than 15 per cent of the workforce.
Leadership roles are also seeing greater participation, with more than 23 per cent of leadership positions held by women.
The airline said it remains committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, encouraging women to pursue careers in aviation and leadership.
Strong representation at Air India
Air India also reported encouraging numbers in its workforce. The airline said 16 per cent of its pilots are women, which is also nearly three times the global average.
Women continue to play a significant role in other areas of the airline as well. They form the majority of cabin crew, accounting for about 84 per cent of the workforce in that segment.
In airport operations, women’s representation has grown from 24 per cent to 31 per cent over the past two years. The number of women working in security roles has also increased from 14 per cent to 22 per cent during the same period.
Encouraging women to pursue aviation careers
Air India stated that it continues to invest in initiatives aimed at encouraging women to build careers across different domains of aviation, including leadership and technical roles.
With a workforce of more than 24,000 employees, the airline emphasised its commitment to strengthening opportunities for women in the industry.
The rising number of women pilots in India reflects a broader shift within the aviation sector, where more women are entering technical and leadership roles traditionally dominated by men.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the growing presence of women in the cockpit highlights how the aviation industry is gradually becoming more inclusive and diverse.