New Delhi. 08 March 2024. Akasa Air believes in creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and excel. This commitment is evident in the diverse team of women pilots, crew members, and frontline personnel who play crucial roles in the day-to-day operations of the airline. As the world celebrates Women’s Day, Akasa Air takes pride in the strength and leadership displayed by its female workforce, who are an embodiment of resilience, determination, and empowerment.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, it will take 169 years to bridge the economic participation and opportunity gender gap based on the current rate of progress. This serves as a reminder for governments, NGOs, associations, investors and companies to bolster their efforts to bridge the gap. Gender equality and equal access to the same opportunities for both women and men, while respecting their specificities, is the core solution to the problem. Historically, the aviation industry has often been seen as a domain primarily led by men with prominent positions at the forefront. However, there has been a noticeable shift towards building gender parity in the industry as more women can be seen taking on frontline and leadership roles and contributing significantly to the growth of the industry. Akasa Air, the fastest-growing Indian airline, is at the forefront of this change, advocating inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.
Summarising her experience of working in aviation, Captain Pearl Varma, Akasa Air said, “As a First Officer on the Boeing 737, I started working as a part-time CRM (Crew Resource Management) Instructor, working with a small pool of test pilots carrying out test flights every few months. The transition to becoming a Captain and a hunger to learn and grow made me pursue more opportunities that came my way. These include the Mentor Pilot Program, becoming a trainer (Line Training Captain), conducting pilot interviews for Akasa Air, aircraft deliveries and ferry etc. I take pride in being the first woman trainer in Akasa Air and being the first Akasa pilot to do a test flight at Boeing Field in Seattle.”
Diversity and inclusion are crucial aspects of an organisation’s culture that enables a high-performing and employee-centric environment. Akasa Air endeavours to build a workplace where employees feel proud to be a part of the brand. Achieving gender parity has been a cornerstone of the airline’s growth strategy since inception. The organisation’s continued efforts have resulted in more than one-third of its overall workforce and roughly half of its non-frontline comprising of female employees.
On improved representation of women in the aviation industry, Captain Pearl noted, “The aviation industry, especially in India, is witnessing a transformative shift. There is a noticeable increase in women’s representation in aviation, including various frontline roles, and it is truly something we are proud of. At Akasa Air, we have a great strength of women in various frontline roles such as pilots, AMEs, airport managers, etc. We endeavour to put in more efforts to pave the way for a brighter future for women in aviation.”
Geeta Negi, Duty Manager – Security, Airport Services, Akasa Air said, “My life took a transformative turn when I joined the National Cadet Corps which exposed me to a myriad of perspectives and opportunities, igniting ambition and shaping me into a dynamic and ambitious individual. In my twodecade-long professional career, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and emerging threats, I have earned recognition and respect within the industry. While it has not been easy to be a woman in a male-dominated field, drawing inspiration from supportive mentors and impactful experiences, has motivated me to remain steadfast in my pursuit of positive change and empowerment. I aspire to continue advocating for gender equality and social justice, using my platform to celebrate the strength and achievements of women worldwide.”
Akasa Air is ensuring that it welcomes employees from diverse backgrounds through its three-pronged approach of Action, Alignment and Awareness. Action means focusing on the recruitment, retention, and development of employees from diverse backgrounds; Alignment means designing inclusive policies, identifying and removing barriers, and Awareness stands for creating awareness through education, advocacy, and communication.
As an equal opportunity employer, Akasa Air takes pride in the exceptional performance of some of its women employees who have successfully led departments, whether in technology or managing some of the nation’s busiest airports.
