IATA opens nominations for its 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Awards

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) formally opened nominations for the sixth edition of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards on Thursday, 20th February. 

Nominations are welcome from individuals and organisations advancing diversity and inclusion in the aviation sector.

Nominees will be up for consideration in three primary categories, namely:

• The Inspirational Role Model Award which recognises a woman holding a senior position within the air transport industry who has substantial impact on diversity and inclusion in aviation through her significant influence at global level;
• The High Flyer Award for a female aviation professional under the age of 40 who actively demonstrated leadership through concrete action in favour of diversity and inclusion to make a positive impact on the industry; and
• The Diversity & Inclusion Team Award which recognises an airline that has achieved measurable positive change in diversity and inclusion as a result of the work done in this area. Nominations in this category are open to all IATA member airlines.

The winners of the 2025 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards will be announced at IATA’s 81st Annual General Meeting & World Air Transport Summit in Delhi, India on 2nd June.

A more gender-balanced future for the aviation industry

According to IATA director-general Willie Walsh, the global aviation sector is growing, and attracting more talent to join the industry is critical. 

Walsh said: “Leading initiatives to foster and engage a more gender balanced workforce will attract a broader set of candidates for the wide-ranging career opportunities that aviation offers. We are proud of the contributions of previous winners and look forward to receiving applications from an impressive set of applicants for this year’s edition of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

Each winner will receive US$25,000, payable to the awardee or their nominated charity for diversity and inclusion activities.

This cash award is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Qatar Airways.

Antonio Schulthess, chief people officer for the airline, said: “Qatar Airways is proud to once again sponsor IATA’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards. This support is a recognition of the winners’ contribution to positive change in our growing aviation industry and the bright future they hold in it.”

An independent judging panel made up of the winners of last year’s awards and chaired by Air Transport World editor-in-chief Karen Walker will review the nominations to select the winners. 

The 2025 judges panel consists of: Kendra Kincade, CEO and founder of Elevate Foundation; Southern Africa Institute of Aviation Science and Technology founder and managing director Mafunase Ngosa Malenga; and British Airways’ inclusion and diversity advisor Jade Fisher-Ryner.