This week, more than 2,500 customers will fly on Jetstar and Qantas flights operated by all-female crews. To mark International Women's Day, both airlines are also hosting hands-on career days for more than one hundred students, showcasing the wide-ranging career paths available in aviation. The focus is on helping the next generation chart their path from the classroom to the flight deck, hangar or operations centre.
Spanning 10 of Qantas and Jetstar's popular domestic routes, more than 50 women will crew the 22 flights, recognising how far the industry has come, while demonstrating the rewarding career paths aviation can offer.
The series of flights will culminate with nine flights taking off on International Women's Day, Sunday 8 March. The first, a Jetstar service from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, will take off in the morning, followed by a range of QantasLink regional services including Tamworth to Sydney, Coffs Harbour to Melbourne and Sydney to Wagga Wagga.
On the ground, more than one hundred students are attending the Jetstar Career Immersion Day in Melbourne in partnership with Melbourne University and RMIT, and the Qantas NextGen Aviators Career Day in Sydney. Almost 100 pilots, engineers, operations specialists and aviation leaders are delivering talks, workshops and interactive career sessions.
QantasLink Captain Tomoko Sakurai Dahlstrom will speak at Qantas' NextGen Aviators Career Day and has operated several of the International Women's Day flights this week.
"Up in the air, our International Women's Day flights not only celebrate those who paved the path for us to fly today but show the crew of tomorrow what's possible.
"I'm proud to speak with students at our career day and share what it's like to work in aviation today alongside supportive, thriving and talented women. Our hope is to see as many of the students at our career days in a hanger, flight deck or cabin one day."
Jetstar Eastern Regional Flying Manager Captain Narelle Coooper said the flights showcase the depth of talent across the airline's workforce.
"These flights are a chance to put some of our best people front and centre. When young women and girls see women leading in the flight deck, in the operations centre and on the ground, it sends a powerful message - these careers are for you too."
Group Chief People Officer Catherine Walsh said "We recognise there's still work to do across the aviation industry. We're committed to championing change for the long haul by improving gender representation in our teams today, while strengthening a diverse talent pipeline for tomorrow. A more balanced workforce makes us a better airline, and we're determined to create a future where anyone can see themselves working, growing, and thriving in this dynamic and rewarding industry."
Qantas Group gender equality initiatives
The Qantas Group is continuing its work to improve gender balance. While progress is being made, there is still more to do. Some key initiatives are:
- The Qantas Group's Women in Leadership Program equips women to move into senior roles through workshops, coaching and networking. Women now make up 40.7 per cent of senior roles across the Qantas Group. The Qantas Board is 50 per cent female, and the senior executive team comprises seven women and five men.
- The Female Pilot Council focuses on enhancing the experience of female pilots throughout key life stages, including professional development during pregnancy and return-to-work support after parental leave.
- Advocacy for gender inclusion through key relationships with Champions of Change (as a founding member), IATA, Chief Executive Women, Parents at Work and National Association of Women in Operations.
Images available here.
