Women Soar To New Heights In Aviation Sector
The Indian aviation industry is experiencing a significant rise and women are playing an increasingly important role in its success. While traditionally considered a male-dominated field, a growing number of women are taking to the skies, not just as passengers, but as pilots, security managers, engineers and more.
Breaking Stereotypes
Many women in aviation credit their early experiences and personal drive for propelling them into this dynamic field. Pronoti Grewal, Regional Security Manager at Akasa Air, reflects on her upbringing, stating, "My experience as an NCC cadet and a badminton player inspired me to pursue a unique career and I found myself drawn to the world of aviation, where I truly believed I could make a difference." But Grewal wasn’t the only one who got her start in the NCC; Indira Mittra, Captain at IndiGo, also stated that her interest in aviation came from a very young age, with her qualifying as a glider pilot after joining the NCC, that she had set her mind to this career path. Similarly, Pramila Malmanchi, Senior AME in Maintenance & Engineering at Akasa Air, describes her decision to enter a field perceived as male-dominated, stating, "Aviation intrigued me and I found myself drawn to pursue a career in the industry."
Challenges and Resilience
Despite the growing presence of women in aviation, challenges remain. Grewal shares her experiences, stating, "My journey has come with its own set of personal sacrifices." She describes balancing demanding work with family responsibilities as a struggle faced by many women across industries. Malmanchi mentions the need for supportive environments, stating, "Women need both familial and organisational support to grow their careers," emphasising the importance of flexible work arrangements and company policies that empower women.
On the other hand, Mittra stated that even though she was the only girl in a batch of 32 cadets, “most of my colleagues were supportive and I just worked hard like everyone else. Some called me a bookworm and this was necessary to establish my worth.”
A Cause for Optimism
Fortunately, the Indian aviation industry is demonstrating a positive shift towards gender equality. Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shows a significant increase in the number of women obtaining Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs). India also boasts a higher percentage of female pilots compared to the global average, with a whopping 15 per cent of all Indian pilots being women.
Mittra is one such individual who is paving the way forward for the next generation of pilots, “my career upgrade from a captain to an instructor and eventually to an examiner has been very rewarding. It’s a qualification that not everyone achieves and this has been a great privilege. Teaching and giving back to the community has indeed been extremely rewarding,” she said.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Both Grewal and Malmanchi offer messages of encouragement to young women interested in aviation. Grewal emphasises courage, stating, "My advice to women is to be brave. Our role in nation-building is vital for collective development and betterment." Malmanchi echoes this sentiment, "I would like to tell young girls to pursue whatever role or career they aspire to have. Don't be afraid of trying something new or different just because you don’t see enough women there."
Mittra echoed the statements of Grewal and Malmanchi, “There is no other way except to working hard and knowing your job really well to make your dreams come true.” She also advised aspiring pilots to “stay focused on [the] larger objective and take the minor obstacles in your stride.” Mental and physical resilience, along with being tactful and patient is another key to success, according to her.
As the number of women who join the aviation sector keep getting higher, it leads to the industry as a whole becoming more inclusive and equal for all.
