Marking a significant stride towards diversity in aviation, IndiGo, India’s preferred carrier, today inducted 77 female pilots into its Airbus and ATR fleet, to celebrate the 77th Independence Day. This initiative aligns well with the #GirlPower ethos and reinforces IndiGo’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

The induction includes 72 female pilots in the Airbus fleet and 5 in the ATR fleet, marking a milestone in aviation history. The initiative is expected to inspire and empower future generations of women to pursue careers in aviation, breaking down barriers. IndiGo initiated a targeted screening process in January 2024 to curate an exclusive batch of female pilots.

Captain Ashim Mitra, Senior Vice President at IndiGo, said, “We are delighted to announce the landmark induction of 77 female pilots into our Airbus and ATR fleet. At IndiGo, we have always promoted a workplace that thrives on diversity and inclusivity. We acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions made by women at IndiGo, not just for their technical prowess but also as inspirational leaders within our organization. We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just integral to our core values, but they are also key drivers of innovation and growth. We pledge to continue upholding these values in all our endeavours.”

Alongside this unique hiring initiative, IndiGo has also introduced life cycle initiatives that provide flexibility to lady pilots with children under five years old to choose a reduced flying contract. This move aims to address the skewed gender ratio in cockpit crews and pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive aviation industry in the years to come. IndiGo is a global leader in diversity with around 14% women pilots compared to a global average of 7-9% women pilots in the workforce.