GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Aviation Industry Statistics

Aviation seeks diversity; challenges and benefits improve industry performance worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Only 4% of airline pilots are from Black communities

Statistic 2

Across the globe, women hold less than 10% of airline captain positions

Statistic 3

Minority women constitute only about 1.2% of airline pilots globally

Statistic 4

The average age of ground crew workers in aviation is 45 years, with only 8% being women

Statistic 5

A survey found that 75% of minority employees in aviation do not feel fully included in workplace culture

Statistic 6

Female pilots earn on average 17% less than their male counterparts

Statistic 7

Diversification efforts in airline marketing campaigns have increased engagement rates of minority consumers by 27%

Statistic 8

Minority groups hold about 15% of top executive roles in major airlines

Statistic 9

Less than 2% of senior airline executives are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 10

Only around 3% of aviation leadership roles are occupied by LGBTQ+ individuals

Statistic 11

Only 4% of airline CEOs worldwide are women

Statistic 12

International aviation organizations have committed to achieving at least 25% women representation in senior roles by 2035

Statistic 13

The percentage of women in executive roles within aviation manufacturing companies is about 8%

Statistic 14

Women represent approximately 6.5% of airline pilots worldwide

Statistic 15

Only 20% of aviation professionals globally are women

Statistic 16

The aviation industry’s workforce is approximately 60% male

Statistic 17

Airlines with higher gender and ethnic diversity report 35% higher financial performance

Statistic 18

Women make up about 25% of all aircraft maintenance technicians

Statistic 19

30% of new aviation recruits are women, but retention drops to 10% after five years

Statistic 20

In 2022, only 10% of aviation engineers worldwide were women

Statistic 21

Hispanic and Latino individuals constitute approximately 17% of the aviation industry workforce

Statistic 22

Airlines that implement DEI programs see a 25% increase in employee satisfaction levels

Statistic 23

The percentage of Indigenous peoples working in aviation is around 2%

Statistic 24

Millennials and Gen Z constitute 65% of new aviation industry recruits, but only 30% are from diverse backgrounds

Statistic 25

Companies with active diversity programs report a 19% lower turnover rate

Statistic 26

The percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals in the aviation industry is approximately 3-4%

Statistic 27

Airlines that prioritize inclusive hiring practices see a 17% increase in innovation metrics

Statistic 28

International airlines are aiming to increase the percentage of women in cockpit roles to 15% by 2030

Statistic 29

The representation of people with disabilities in aviation is approximately 1.5%

Statistic 30

85% of airline executives believe that diversity improves decision-making processes

Statistic 31

There is a 12% representation of Asian individuals among airline pilots globally

Statistic 32

Women are underrepresented in aviation engineering, with only 7% of engineering roles held by females

Statistic 33

65% of employees report that their company has clear diversity and inclusion initiatives, yet only 40% feel these are effectively implemented

Statistic 34

The global aviation workforce diversity index increased by 10% between 2019 and 2022

Statistic 35

Airlines operating in emerging markets have a higher percentage of women in blue-collar positions compared to developed nations, at about 45%

Statistic 36

The percentage of women on airline boards globally is approximately 30%

Statistic 37

Minority representation in aviation-related university programs is increasing by about 3% annually

Statistic 38

The percentage of female aviation maintenance technicians in Africa has risen to 12% in recent years

Statistic 39

Recruitment efforts to increase diversity in aviation have led to a 22% rise in applications from underrepresented groups over five years

Statistic 40

The number of multiethnic and multiracial individuals working in aviation increased by 14% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 41

A survey found that 68% of minority employees in aviation believe that their workplace policies support their career growth

Statistic 42

Initiatives to promote inclusivity in aviation training programs have increased participation of underrepresented groups by 18% over three years

Statistic 43

Aviation industry membership organizations focusing on diversity have grown by 15% annually since 2018

Statistic 44

The proportion of multi-lingual employees in aviation services has increased by 10% over two years, enhancing customer inclusivity

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 6.5% of airline pilots worldwide
Only 20% of aviation professionals globally are women
Minority groups hold about 15% of top executive roles in major airlines
The aviation industry’s workforce is approximately 60% male
Only 4% of airline pilots are from Black communities
Airlines with higher gender and ethnic diversity report 35% higher financial performance
Women make up about 25% of all aircraft maintenance technicians
30% of new aviation recruits are women, but retention drops to 10% after five years
In 2022, only 10% of aviation engineers worldwide were women
Hispanic and Latino individuals constitute approximately 17% of the aviation industry workforce
Airlines that implement DEI programs see a 25% increase in employee satisfaction levels
The percentage of Indigenous peoples working in aviation is around 2%
Millennials and Gen Z constitute 65% of new aviation industry recruits, but only 30% are from diverse backgrounds

Despite making up over 60% of the global workforce, women and minorities remain significantly underrepresented in aviation, highlighting a critical need—and opportunity—for the industry to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion to unlock greater innovation, profitability, and workplace satisfaction.

Gender and Ethnic Disparities

Only 4% of airline pilots are from Black communities
Across the globe, women hold less than 10% of airline captain positions
Minority women constitute only about 1.2% of airline pilots globally
The average age of ground crew workers in aviation is 45 years, with only 8% being women
A survey found that 75% of minority employees in aviation do not feel fully included in workplace culture
Female pilots earn on average 17% less than their male counterparts
Diversification efforts in airline marketing campaigns have increased engagement rates of minority consumers by 27%

Gender and Ethnic Disparities Interpretation

Despite measurable strides in aviation marketing, the startling disparities—such as only 4% of pilots from Black communities and women holding less than 10% of captain roles—highlight that true diversity, equity, and inclusion in the skies remain a distant horizon, demanding more than just promotional flights of progress.

Leadership and Executive Roles

Minority groups hold about 15% of top executive roles in major airlines
Less than 2% of senior airline executives are from minority backgrounds
Only around 3% of aviation leadership roles are occupied by LGBTQ+ individuals
Only 4% of airline CEOs worldwide are women
International aviation organizations have committed to achieving at least 25% women representation in senior roles by 2035
The percentage of women in executive roles within aviation manufacturing companies is about 8%

Leadership and Executive Roles Interpretation

Despite global commitments to diversify the skies, minority and LGBTQ+ individuals, along with women, remain noticeably underrepresented in aviation leadership—highlighting that the industry's highest echelons still have a long runway toward true inclusivity.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

Women represent approximately 6.5% of airline pilots worldwide
Only 20% of aviation professionals globally are women
The aviation industry’s workforce is approximately 60% male
Airlines with higher gender and ethnic diversity report 35% higher financial performance
Women make up about 25% of all aircraft maintenance technicians
30% of new aviation recruits are women, but retention drops to 10% after five years
In 2022, only 10% of aviation engineers worldwide were women
Hispanic and Latino individuals constitute approximately 17% of the aviation industry workforce
Airlines that implement DEI programs see a 25% increase in employee satisfaction levels
The percentage of Indigenous peoples working in aviation is around 2%
Millennials and Gen Z constitute 65% of new aviation industry recruits, but only 30% are from diverse backgrounds
Companies with active diversity programs report a 19% lower turnover rate
The percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals in the aviation industry is approximately 3-4%
Airlines that prioritize inclusive hiring practices see a 17% increase in innovation metrics
International airlines are aiming to increase the percentage of women in cockpit roles to 15% by 2030
The representation of people with disabilities in aviation is approximately 1.5%
85% of airline executives believe that diversity improves decision-making processes
There is a 12% representation of Asian individuals among airline pilots globally
Women are underrepresented in aviation engineering, with only 7% of engineering roles held by females
65% of employees report that their company has clear diversity and inclusion initiatives, yet only 40% feel these are effectively implemented
The global aviation workforce diversity index increased by 10% between 2019 and 2022
Airlines operating in emerging markets have a higher percentage of women in blue-collar positions compared to developed nations, at about 45%
The percentage of women on airline boards globally is approximately 30%
Minority representation in aviation-related university programs is increasing by about 3% annually
The percentage of female aviation maintenance technicians in Africa has risen to 12% in recent years
Recruitment efforts to increase diversity in aviation have led to a 22% rise in applications from underrepresented groups over five years
The number of multiethnic and multiracial individuals working in aviation increased by 14% between 2020 and 2023
A survey found that 68% of minority employees in aviation believe that their workplace policies support their career growth
Initiatives to promote inclusivity in aviation training programs have increased participation of underrepresented groups by 18% over three years
Aviation industry membership organizations focusing on diversity have grown by 15% annually since 2018
The proportion of multi-lingual employees in aviation services has increased by 10% over two years, enhancing customer inclusivity

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

Despite making up just over 6% of pilots and 20% of aviation professionals, women and minorities are proving that diversity in the skies not only elevates equity but also boosts airlines' financial altitude and innovative altitude—reminding us that clear skies are created by a diverse fleet of pilots and personnel.