Air India has highlighted the increasing role of women in the country’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, as the airline rolls out new training facilities, infrastructure projects and fleet growth plans.
India’s aviation industry is entering a period of significant expansion, driven by rising passenger demand, new aircraft orders and major investments in training and maintenance infrastructure.
Air India said the transformation is creating new career opportunities across the sector, with women expected to play a growing role in shaping the industry’s future.
Training and infrastructure expansion
The airline is developing several major initiatives aimed at building aviation skills in India. These include a planned flying school in Amravati, a new aircraft maintenance training school in Bengaluru, and a large maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the same city.
Alongside these projects, the Air India Training Academy is expanding programmes to support the airline’s broader fleet growth and operational transformation.
Air India said the initiatives are designed not only to increase technical capability but also to open the door for more professionals – particularly women – to pursue careers across aviation.
Efforts to increase female participation
The airline has introduced several programmes aimed at encouraging women to enter and remain in the industry.
Among them are initiatives such as #HerMatters, which supports women during major life events, and #MakingOurMothersSoar, which helps mothers returning to work. The airline also offers digital learning courses designed to help women develop professional skills and progress in leadership roles.
Air India said these initiatives are intended to build a workplace environment where women can succeed in both operational and corporate roles.
Representation rising across key departments
Women have long formed the majority of the airline’s cabin crew, accounting for 84% of the workforce in that role. However, the company says the most significant change is happening in operational and technical departments.
In airport operations, women’s representation has increased from 24% to 31% over the past two years. In security roles, the figure has risen from 14% to 22%.
Women are also increasingly working in areas such as digital technology and flight operations, which are among the most technically complex parts of airline operations.
The airline said women pilots currently make up 16% of its pilot workforce, roughly three times the global average.
Campaign highlights women across the organisation
To mark the shift, Air India has released a video campaign featuring women working across different departments of the airline.
In the video, employees speak about stereotypes and assumptions they have encountered during their careers in aviation. Participants from areas including engineering, flight operations, ground services, safety and corporate functions share their experiences.
The film then reveals their roles within the airline, highlighting the range of positions women now hold across Air India’s operations – from the cockpit to technical and operational roles that are often less visible to the public.
Air India said the campaign aims to challenge outdated perceptions about women’s roles in aviation and encourage more young women to consider careers across the industry.
