IATA institutes strategic award scheme to drive aviation diversity, inclusion
As part of new idea to deepen gender performance and industry excellence, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has inaugurated its diversity and inclusion awards to recognise and encourage gender excellence in world aviation activities.
In a publication by the body, it revealed that three categories of leadership in gender diversity and inclusion would be given inspirational role model award to drive safety standards.
It said the awards would be presented to a female (30+) who holds a senior position within the industry and who has had a significant impact on the aviation agenda through her strong contribution to business delivery, as well as her ongoing support of the gender diversity agenda.
IATA also noted that the award would be open to all female participants in the aviation industry, while the high flyer award, designed to recognise one of aviation’s under 30 female contributors who had started to develop her career, and thought leadership in the industry through her inspirational work.
According to the award design, IATA averred that the diversity and inclusion team award would recognise the best performing airline that had seen a tangible change in their diversity as a result of the work it had been doing in diversity and inclusion, would be open to all IATA member airlines.
Already, global nominations for the awards were opened from February 26, 2019 and would last till March 31, 2019, and nominees would be judged by an international and independent panel of experts.
IATA also made further revelations, saying the first of the annual awards would be presented at IATA’s 75th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit to be held in Seoul, South Korea in June this year.
In his remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac said, “Aviation is the Business of Freedom. The essence of aviation is building a global community by connecting people, businesses and cultures across great distances. Ten million people work in the aviation industry to make this happen. It is important that this workforce reflects the amazing diversity and inclusion that it fosters in our society.
He added that “By inaugurating these awards, we want to recognise and celebrate the great work that is being done to take the industry into the future.”
Explaining more, de Juniac disclosed that Qatar Airways had already committed to sponsoring the awards, adding that each category would come with $25,000 in prize money payable to the awardee or their nominated charity work on diversity and inclusion projects.
Giving insights on why the airline keyed into the new idea, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors, Akbar Al Baker, said, “Aviation thrives with diversity and provides great employment opportunities to talented people in every corner of our planet.
“But there is much room to improve. For example, gender balance is by far not equal. In sponsoring these awards, we are committing to do better ourselves, to building awareness and to inspiring change.”
Local aviation experts who welcomed the IATA awards scheme, said it will further raised safety and innovations to the industry going forward.
