With 15%, India has most number of female commercial pilots in the world

NewsBharati    28-Aug-2023 18:30:27 PM
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Do you know that India has the maximum number of female commercial pilots in the world? Yes, you read it right. Compared to many “developed countries”, Indian women are making their presence felt in the aviation industry. As per the latest data, 15% of the pilots in the country are women. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), this is three times the global average of 5%.
 
India highest female commercial pilots in the world 
 
It is pertinent to mention that a total of 244 pilots have been recruited in 2021 as per the data received from various Indian scheduled airlines. And, estimates suggest that India may require 1,000 pilots per annum over the next five years.
 
Further, the data mentioned that there are approximately 10,000 pilots including 67 foreign nationals working with various domestic airlines in India, DGCA added.
 
Last year, the International Society of Women Airline Pilots also released gender equality in the airline industry in 2021. The report noted that at 12.4% (in 2021) India ranked top in gender equality at the flight deck, followed by Ireland (9.9%), South Africa (9.8%), Australia (7.5%), Canada (7%), Germany (6.9%), USA (5.5%), UK (4.7%), New Zealand (4.5%), Scandinavia (3.8%), Qatar (2.4%), Japan (1.3%) and Singapore (1%), respectively.
 
 
Nivedita Bhasin (born 1963) of Indian Airlines became the youngest woman pilot in world civil aviation history to command a commercial jet aircraft on 1 January 1990 at the age of 26.
 
According to Bloomberg, India has been successful in recruiting women pilots through wider efforts to attract women to STEM and technical fields. The Indian armed forces also have been recruiting women pilots for several decades, even though they couldn't serve in combat roles until recently. According to the report, Indian female pilots also cited the support of their extended families, which often cohabit, as a reason for being able to carry out the demanding job which requires much time spent away from home.
 
Several airlines in India have devised policies to retain female talent. For instance, IndiGo offers flexibility to women pilots and crew to continue working safely, excluding flying duties, during pregnancy. It gives 26 weeks of paid maternity leave that is required under law and also offers creches for childcare. Women pilots can opt for a flexible contract with two weeks leave in a calendar month, until a child is 5 years old. Vistara offers pregnant pilots and cabin crew the option of temporary jobs on the ground or administrative roles until they are ready to fly.