Why don’t women run airlines? Part 1: 94% of airlines are led by men

CAPA last reviewed this issue in our inaugural issue of Airline Leader back in 2010, five years ago. On International Women's Day on 08-Mar-2010, CAPA observed that "you could have counted on the fingers of one hand the female CEOs of commercially significant airlines across the world." It would be nice to say that had changed.

The airline industry is notorious for its "boysy" facade, however the massive attitudinal and structural change forced upon this industry over a turbulent decade have done much to open doors for women -at least in theory. In 2010, 15 airlines had appointed a female to the role of CEO or MD. By 2015, that number ticked to… 18.

Of those, five women are employed at group airlines: LCC AirAsia, has three women in leadership positions, while Avianca has two. By way of a yardstick, IATA represents 252 airlines alone - using this number, that implies only 6% of those represented have appointed a woman to the senior executive level position.

It would perhaps be a little too trite to link this to the under-performance of the industry - but it does give pause for reflection.