Riga Airport has joined the “25by2025" gender equality initiative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which aims to increase the representation of women in top-level positions in the aviation industry by 25 % by 2025. The commitment was signed on behalf of the airport at the IATA conference "Wings of Change" in Istanbul by Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of the Airport.
"By signing the IATA gender equality commitment, we confirm once again that openness to diversity, different opinions, respectful and professional cooperation is one of the core values of Riga Airport. We are together with the international aviation community to promote gender equality in the industry, because we believe that a good employer is one who sees and values employees as human beings and professionals, not their gender or age,'' says Laila Odiņa.
Historically, taking into account the high number of technical professions and the number of professions where there are demands for high physical endurance, there has been a higher proportion of men in the aviation industry. However, a third of all employees of Riga Airport are women, while the proportion of women accounts for 38 % in the positions of board, directors, deputy directors in the company.
IATA's voluntary gender equality initiative “25by2025” was launched to raise awareness of the need to improve the representation of women in the aviation industry and to create opportunities for the development of all talent, regardless of gender.