The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has announced it has signed the Women in Aviation and Aerospace (WiAA) Charter, affirming its dedication to supporting and advancing the careers of women in aviation.

Currently, only 6% of pilots in the UK are women, and by endorsing the initiative BALPA pledges to advocate for change and to create an environment where women can develop and succeed in piloting and other roles in the industry.

BALPA announced the Charter signing on International Women’s Day (March 8). Its general secretary, Amy Leversidge, said: “We are delighted to sign up to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter. A third of our National Executive Council are women and we are proud to lead by example in aviation.”

The WiAA Charter is an organisation committed to promoting female leadership in the industry, and BALPA is a union and professional associaton for pilots in the UK with a network of highly trained flight deck professionals that make-up its 10,000 members.

The collaboration signifies an important step forward in making progress for diversity, gender equality, and inclusivity in the industry.

Victoria Foy and Sumati Sharma, co-chairs of the WiAA Charter, said of the partnership: “We’re delighted to welcome BALPA, our first aviation-specific union to be a Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter signatory. Females make up just 5% of commercial pilots, and BALPA’s commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion to all who pursue this journey is admirable.”

“Anyone with the talent and skills to be a pilot should have the opportunity to do so. It is only by working together that we can break down barriers and create a future where women have equal representation and opportunity in aviation,” commented Leversidge.