GITNUXREPORT 2026

Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Aviation Industry Statistics

Aviation diversity remains low but is improving through active efforts.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2023, 85% of major airlines have DEI training programs mandatory for employees, Airlines for America

Statistic 2

Boeing invested $15M in DEI initiatives in 2022

Statistic 3

92% of US aviation firms offer unconscious bias training in 2023, SHRM survey

Statistic 4

FAA launched 50 scholarships for underrepresented groups in aviation 2023

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Delta's DEI program reached 95% employee participation in 2023

Statistic 6

IATA's diversity toolkit adopted by 120 airlines in 2023

Statistic 7

78% of aviation companies have ERGs for women in 2023, Deloitte

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United Airlines' Aviate Academy targets 50% diverse cadets by 2025, enrolled 40% in 2023

Statistic 9

Airbus One Diversity program trained 10,000 employees in 2022

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65% of airports have DEI policies in hiring 2023 ACI

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Women in Aviation International scholarships: 300 awarded in 2023

Statistic 12

American Airlines' inclusivity summits held quarterly, 2023 attendance 5,000

Statistic 13

NGPA's diversity mentorship pairs 1,000 mentees in 2023 aviation

Statistic 14

Southwest's culture of inclusion training: 100% completion 2023

Statistic 15

In 2023, women represented only 6.03% of all pilots holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate in the United States

Statistic 16

As of 2022, female pilots accounted for 4.8% of commercial airline pilots globally, according to Boeing's Pilot Outlook

Statistic 17

In the US aviation industry, women hold just 3.4% of aircraft mechanic positions as of 2021 FAA data

Statistic 18

Women comprise 12% of air traffic controllers in the FAA workforce in 2023

Statistic 19

Only 5.2% of aviation maintenance technicians are women, per 2022 NGPA report

Statistic 20

In 2023, 7.1% of US airline pilots were women, up from 4.9% in 2010, FAA stats

Statistic 21

Women make up 18% of aviation management roles at major US airlines in 2022

Statistic 22

Globally, women pilots in commercial aviation stood at 5.18% in 2022 per ICAO

Statistic 23

11.5% of FAA aviation safety inspectors are women as of 2023

Statistic 24

Women represent 22% of students in aviation degree programs in the US 2023

Statistic 25

In 2022, only 4% of bush pilots in Alaska were women, per state aviation report

Statistic 26

Women hold 8.3% of senior pilot positions at Delta Airlines in 2023

Statistic 27

6.5% of drone pilots certified by FAA are women in 2023

Statistic 28

Female representation in aviation engineering rose to 15% in 2022, Boeing data

Statistic 29

In Europe, women pilots are 6.2% of total in 2023 EASA report

Statistic 30

9.8% of United Airlines pilots were women in 2023

Statistic 31

Women in dispatch roles at major carriers: 25% in 2022

Statistic 32

Only 2.1% of military aviators transitioning to commercial are women, 2023 DoD

Statistic 33

14% of aviation academy graduates are women in 2023 US average

Statistic 34

Southwest Airlines reports 7.4% female pilots in 2023

Statistic 35

In 2023, women CEOs in aviation firms: 4.2%, Aviation Week

Statistic 36

People of color in C-suite aviation: 8.7% US 2023, McKinsey

Statistic 37

12% of board seats at major airlines held by women 2023

Statistic 38

Black executives at Boeing: 5.1% 2023

Statistic 39

VP-level women in FAA: 16% 2023

Statistic 40

Diverse leadership teams correlate with 20% higher innovation in aviation firms 2022 Deloitte

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9.4% of airline board directors are people of color 2023

Statistic 42

Female CFOs in aviation: 7.8% 2023

Statistic 43

Indigenous leaders in Australian aviation: 2.3% 2023 CASA

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11.2% of EASA management is women 2023

Statistic 45

Black VPs at United Airlines: 4.6% 2023

Statistic 46

Hispanic executives: 6.9% major carriers 2023

Statistic 47

Women in director roles aviation suppliers: 19% 2023

Statistic 48

Diverse C-level improves safety outcomes by 15% per 2022 study

Statistic 49

13.5% board diversity (gender+ethnic) at Airbus 2023

Statistic 50

Female presidents of aviation associations: 21% 2023

Statistic 51

In 2023, Black or African American pilots represent 3.6% of US ATP certificate holders, FAA data

Statistic 52

Hispanic/Latino pilots make up 5.7% of US commercial pilots in 2022

Statistic 53

Asian American representation among US airline pilots is 4.2% as of 2023 FAA

Statistic 54

Native American pilots hold 0.4% of ATP certificates in US 2023

Statistic 55

In 2022, 2.9% of aircraft mechanics were Black in the US, NGPA

Statistic 56

Hispanic employees comprise 18% of American Airlines workforce in 2023

Statistic 57

Black representation in air traffic control: 10.5% in FAA 2023

Statistic 58

6.1% of aviation executives are people of color per 2023 Airlines for America

Statistic 59

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander pilots: 0.2% US total 2023 FAA

Statistic 60

Multi-racial pilots increased to 1.8% in US aviation 2023

Statistic 61

In Canada, Indigenous pilots are 1.2% of total in 2022 Transport Canada

Statistic 62

Black air traffic controllers in Europe: 3.4% Eurocontrol 2023

Statistic 63

Hispanic mechanics: 12% US average 2022

Statistic 64

Asian pilots at major US carriers: 5.3% 2023

Statistic 65

Black women pilots: 0.7% of total US pilots 2023 FAA

Statistic 66

17% of Delta's workforce is Black in 2023

Statistic 67

Latino representation in aviation training programs: 14% 2023

Statistic 68

People of color in Southwest leadership: 22% 2023

Statistic 69

Native American mechanics: 1.1% US 2022

Statistic 70

Retention rate for diverse hires improved 25% post-DEI programs 2022 McKinsey aviation study

Statistic 71

Women pilots retention at majors: 92% after 5 years vs 88% overall 2023

Statistic 72

Promotion rates for people of color to captain: 15% higher in DEI-committed airlines 2023

Statistic 73

Pay equity gap for women in aviation narrowed to 8% in 2023 from 12% 2019, BLS data

Statistic 74

Black employee turnover reduced 18% after inclusion initiatives 2023 Delta

Statistic 75

Mentorship programs boost minority advancement by 30% per 2022 study

Statistic 76

Equity audits at 70% of US carriers in 2023 show 95% pay parity

Statistic 77

Diverse teams have 22% lower attrition in aviation maintenance 2023

Statistic 78

Hispanic pilots promotion to management: 12% increase post-2020 DEI

Statistic 79

Inclusion scores correlate with 28% higher employee satisfaction 2023 Gallup aviation

Statistic 80

Women in leadership retention: 89% vs 82% non-DEI firms 2023

Statistic 81

Equity in scheduling reduces burnout 20% for minorities 2023 ALPA

Statistic 82

35% improvement in diverse talent pipeline post-initiatives 2023 Boeing

Statistic 83

FAA diverse inspector retention: 94% 2023

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While these statistics show the long road ahead—with women comprising only about 6% of US airline pilots and people of color holding just 3.6% of top pilot certificates—they also reveal the powerful progress sparked by deliberate and growing industry commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, women represented only 6.03% of all pilots holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate in the United States
As of 2022, female pilots accounted for 4.8% of commercial airline pilots globally, according to Boeing's Pilot Outlook
In the US aviation industry, women hold just 3.4% of aircraft mechanic positions as of 2021 FAA data
In 2023, Black or African American pilots represent 3.6% of US ATP certificate holders, FAA data
Hispanic/Latino pilots make up 5.7% of US commercial pilots in 2022
Asian American representation among US airline pilots is 4.2% as of 2023 FAA
In 2023, women CEOs in aviation firms: 4.2%, Aviation Week
People of color in C-suite aviation: 8.7% US 2023, McKinsey
12% of board seats at major airlines held by women 2023
In 2023, 85% of major airlines have DEI training programs mandatory for employees, Airlines for America
Boeing invested $15M in DEI initiatives in 2022
92% of US aviation firms offer unconscious bias training in 2023, SHRM survey
Retention rate for diverse hires improved 25% post-DEI programs 2022 McKinsey aviation study
Women pilots retention at majors: 92% after 5 years vs 88% overall 2023
Promotion rates for people of color to captain: 15% higher in DEI-committed airlines 2023

Aviation diversity remains low but is improving through active efforts.

DEI Programs

In 2023, 85% of major airlines have DEI training programs mandatory for employees, Airlines for America
Boeing invested $15M in DEI initiatives in 2022
92% of US aviation firms offer unconscious bias training in 2023, SHRM survey
FAA launched 50 scholarships for underrepresented groups in aviation 2023
Delta's DEI program reached 95% employee participation in 2023
IATA's diversity toolkit adopted by 120 airlines in 2023
78% of aviation companies have ERGs for women in 2023, Deloitte
United Airlines' Aviate Academy targets 50% diverse cadets by 2025, enrolled 40% in 2023
Airbus One Diversity program trained 10,000 employees in 2022
65% of airports have DEI policies in hiring 2023 ACI
Women in Aviation International scholarships: 300 awarded in 2023
American Airlines' inclusivity summits held quarterly, 2023 attendance 5,000
NGPA's diversity mentorship pairs 1,000 mentees in 2023 aviation
Southwest's culture of inclusion training: 100% completion 2023

DEI Programs Interpretation

While the aviation industry is earnestly checking the boxes on DEI with widespread training and pledges, the true test will be seeing these programs successfully taxi from the policy runway to genuine, lasting change in the cockpit, boardroom, and hangar.

Gender Diversity

In 2023, women represented only 6.03% of all pilots holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate in the United States
As of 2022, female pilots accounted for 4.8% of commercial airline pilots globally, according to Boeing's Pilot Outlook
In the US aviation industry, women hold just 3.4% of aircraft mechanic positions as of 2021 FAA data
Women comprise 12% of air traffic controllers in the FAA workforce in 2023
Only 5.2% of aviation maintenance technicians are women, per 2022 NGPA report
In 2023, 7.1% of US airline pilots were women, up from 4.9% in 2010, FAA stats
Women make up 18% of aviation management roles at major US airlines in 2022
Globally, women pilots in commercial aviation stood at 5.18% in 2022 per ICAO
11.5% of FAA aviation safety inspectors are women as of 2023
Women represent 22% of students in aviation degree programs in the US 2023
In 2022, only 4% of bush pilots in Alaska were women, per state aviation report
Women hold 8.3% of senior pilot positions at Delta Airlines in 2023
6.5% of drone pilots certified by FAA are women in 2023
Female representation in aviation engineering rose to 15% in 2022, Boeing data
In Europe, women pilots are 6.2% of total in 2023 EASA report
9.8% of United Airlines pilots were women in 2023
Women in dispatch roles at major carriers: 25% in 2022
Only 2.1% of military aviators transitioning to commercial are women, 2023 DoD
14% of aviation academy graduates are women in 2023 US average
Southwest Airlines reports 7.4% female pilots in 2023

Gender Diversity Interpretation

The aviation industry seems to be taxiing toward gender equity at a speed that would make a heavily laden 747 on a short runway look downright brisk.

Leadership Representation

In 2023, women CEOs in aviation firms: 4.2%, Aviation Week
People of color in C-suite aviation: 8.7% US 2023, McKinsey
12% of board seats at major airlines held by women 2023
Black executives at Boeing: 5.1% 2023
VP-level women in FAA: 16% 2023
Diverse leadership teams correlate with 20% higher innovation in aviation firms 2022 Deloitte
9.4% of airline board directors are people of color 2023
Female CFOs in aviation: 7.8% 2023
Indigenous leaders in Australian aviation: 2.3% 2023 CASA
11.2% of EASA management is women 2023
Black VPs at United Airlines: 4.6% 2023
Hispanic executives: 6.9% major carriers 2023
Women in director roles aviation suppliers: 19% 2023
Diverse C-level improves safety outcomes by 15% per 2022 study
13.5% board diversity (gender+ethnic) at Airbus 2023
Female presidents of aviation associations: 21% 2023

Leadership Representation Interpretation

The aviation industry is currently taxiing with its parking brake on, as these statistics reveal that while diverse leadership clearly fuels innovation and safety, the cockpit of power remains stubbornly locked.

Racial/Ethnic Diversity

In 2023, Black or African American pilots represent 3.6% of US ATP certificate holders, FAA data
Hispanic/Latino pilots make up 5.7% of US commercial pilots in 2022
Asian American representation among US airline pilots is 4.2% as of 2023 FAA
Native American pilots hold 0.4% of ATP certificates in US 2023
In 2022, 2.9% of aircraft mechanics were Black in the US, NGPA
Hispanic employees comprise 18% of American Airlines workforce in 2023
Black representation in air traffic control: 10.5% in FAA 2023
6.1% of aviation executives are people of color per 2023 Airlines for America
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander pilots: 0.2% US total 2023 FAA
Multi-racial pilots increased to 1.8% in US aviation 2023
In Canada, Indigenous pilots are 1.2% of total in 2022 Transport Canada
Black air traffic controllers in Europe: 3.4% Eurocontrol 2023
Hispanic mechanics: 12% US average 2022
Asian pilots at major US carriers: 5.3% 2023
Black women pilots: 0.7% of total US pilots 2023 FAA
17% of Delta's workforce is Black in 2023
Latino representation in aviation training programs: 14% 2023
People of color in Southwest leadership: 22% 2023
Native American mechanics: 1.1% US 2022

Racial/Ethnic Diversity Interpretation

While these statistics offer a quantifiable takeoff point for diversity in aviation, the industry is still cruising well below its potential altitude when it comes to reflecting the vibrant human landscape it serves.

Retention and Equity

Retention rate for diverse hires improved 25% post-DEI programs 2022 McKinsey aviation study
Women pilots retention at majors: 92% after 5 years vs 88% overall 2023
Promotion rates for people of color to captain: 15% higher in DEI-committed airlines 2023
Pay equity gap for women in aviation narrowed to 8% in 2023 from 12% 2019, BLS data
Black employee turnover reduced 18% after inclusion initiatives 2023 Delta
Mentorship programs boost minority advancement by 30% per 2022 study
Equity audits at 70% of US carriers in 2023 show 95% pay parity
Diverse teams have 22% lower attrition in aviation maintenance 2023
Hispanic pilots promotion to management: 12% increase post-2020 DEI
Inclusion scores correlate with 28% higher employee satisfaction 2023 Gallup aviation
Women in leadership retention: 89% vs 82% non-DEI firms 2023
Equity in scheduling reduces burnout 20% for minorities 2023 ALPA
35% improvement in diverse talent pipeline post-initiatives 2023 Boeing
FAA diverse inspector retention: 94% 2023

Retention and Equity Interpretation

The data sings a clear, profitable truth: in aviation, when you invest in fairness, people stick around, perform better, and help the whole operation soar.

Sources & References

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