India is spearheading gender parity in global aviation, notes Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One

In 2016, history was made when three women pilots were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the first time. The then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commissioned Mohana Singh, Bhawana Kanth, and Avani Chaturvedi at the Graduation Parade held at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. In 2018, Avani Chaturvedi smashed gender barriers by becoming the first-ever female combat pilot and the first Indian woman to fly the MiG 21 Bison solo. When she flew an aircraft that holds the highest landing and take-off speed in the world at 340 kmph, she signalled a tremendous shift in the gender dynamics within Indian aviation.

At the 75th Republic Day parade held in New Delhi last week, 15 IAF women pilots participated in the fly-past, while the tableau from Madhya Pradesh proudly celebrated Avani Chaturvedi and her achievements, while also acknowledging all the women who followed her.

There is, however, a noticeable increase in women’s participation, not only in military aviation but also in Indian civil aviation, where women are firmly establishing their presence by successfully pursuing careers as pilots, aircraft engineers, firefighters, ground crew, airport security, and more.

This is also an opportune moment to reflect upon and salute some of the pioneering women who have shattered stereotypes in the aviation industry, long considered a male bastion. These trailblazing women pursued their dreams of becoming commercial pilots and soared to new heights, leaving an indelible mark on the aviation landscape.

Durba Banerjee etched her name in history in 1966 by becoming the country’s first female commercial pilot. Interestingly, when she initially sought a commercial pilot’s position, she was offered the job of a flight attendant instead. However, her unwavering resilience and determination played an instrumental role in shaping her triumphant career, which served as an inspiration for subsequent pioneers like Saudamini Deshmukh. Deshmukh became the first woman to command a Boeing 737 and later, in 1994, achieved the milestone of becoming the first Indian woman to lead an A320.

Among numerous role models inspiring the next generation of female aviators in India, are Capt. Vandita Verma, the Line Training Captain in Flight Operations at Indigo Airlines, Capt. Mayuri Deshmukh of Pawan Hans Ltd, who became India’s first female Offshore Captain, and Capt. Ashima Mendiratta, who secured her place as the youngest female Pilot in Command, specifically on multi-engine helicopters.

The momentum of accomplishments continues with Anny Divya, who became the youngest woman in the world to command a Boeing 777, and Captain Aarohi Pandit, who trained with Pier Seven Aviation and entered record books by piloting a flight without GPS and autopilot at 7,000 feet above sea level.

In 2021, when Air India’s inaugural non-stop flight from San Francisco touched down at Bengaluru Airport, it was significant also because of an all-women cockpit crew, featuring Captain Zoya Aggarwal, Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware, and Captain Shivani Manhas. Further, the airline organised an all-women Hajj flight to Jeddah in 2023 from Calicut Airport in Kerala, which carried 145 women pilgrims. Leading the crew were Capt. Kanika Mehra and First Officer Garima Passi.

It is important to also note that the Indian Government has been actively implementing proactive measures to enhance the participation of women aviators. According to official data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India issued the highest number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs) in 2023, marking an increase of almost 40% compared to the licenses issued in 2022. Notably, the number of women receiving CPLs nearly tripled, rising from 116 to 293 during the same period.

According to DGCA, 15% of pilots in India are women, nearly three times the global average of 5%. However, to further enhance women’s participation in the Indian aviation sector, there is a need for additional specialised programmes aimed at encouraging pilot training.

Active promotion and encouragement of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers are equally important. In January 2024, Boeing, unveiling its India Engineering and Technology Centre in Bangalore, introduced Boeing Sukanya, a program designed to empower Indian women. This initiative is expected to help girls and women, particularly from rural areas, acquire essential skills in STEM fields and receive training for aviation-related jobs. Boeing Sukanya also envisions establishing STEM labs at 150 locations across India and will provide scholarships to women undergoing pilot training.

Similar collaborations with global aviation majors and pilot training institutes will enhance the quality of training and attract more women to the aviation industry. Organising sessions that facilitate interactions between aspiring individuals and successful women pilots will further contribute to igniting a passion for these professions and catalyse greater female participation in aviation.

Our focus should now be on ensuring that trailblazing women aviators become the norm rather than the exceptions. When women rise above gender stereotypes to conquer the sky, they pave the way for many more to defy gravity and chase their dreams.