Tag: women in aviation

Happy International Women’s Day!

To celebrate the day, Inflight Dublin spoke to some of our brilliant female clients and colleagues to hear their thoughts on what first attracted them to aviation, and how far the industry has come on gender equality.

Special thanks to Jana, Gizman, Luana, Tinna, Yasmine and Parfaite for their insightful responses – Enjoy!

Interviews

Jana Rolker, IFE Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

The fascination for flying. To put it in Frida Kahlo’s words: “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

Actually, every woman who changed the world to a better place inspires me, including all the ladies who are encouraging each other.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

The representation of women equally across all fields and of course initiatives like this one.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

Counterquestion: Why waste the equal inclusion of half of the worlds’ talent?

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male-dominated industry?

You have what it takes to succeed. Don’t get yourself stereotyped by others.

Gizman Kamill, A/MGR Inflight Product Development and Standards, In-flight Product Development

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

Growing up in Ethiopia, I can say becoming a flight attendant or just belonging to the industry was an automatic dream like it is for most Ethiopian girls. It was and I believe, it still is every girl’s dream to be a flight attendant. Everything about flight attendants was really attractive; from the colours of their uniforms to the ways the flight attendants carried themselves.  In addition, it was an honour to be able to work for Ethiopian airlines, the biggest airline in Africa.  So I was lucky enough to be hired as a flight attendant right after I graduated from the Addis Ababa Commercial College itself a very reputable institution.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

A name known by almost every grown-up Ethiopian woman, Sahlework Zewdie is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational women to have ever lived in Ethiopia.  Her becoming the president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has resulted in inspiring many Ethiopian women, myself included, to realize that the only limit we have now is the sky.  She may be a soft-spoken person but I think she has already done (never mind what she will do going forward) a lot more than the previous three men presidents put together!

In connection the industry particularly from ET, Mrs.  Rahel Asefa So humble, tenacity and strength of character to punch more than her weight.  Her becoming a vice president in a still very largely male-dominated industry speaks volumes about this inspirational woman.  Just seeing how quickly she came up to this position through the ranks not to mention her specific achievements in terms of the wide-ranging changes she has brought to the department, gives me and many other women in the industry hope that, to repeat myself, the only limit is the sky.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

To speak from my experience in the Ethiopian Airlines, i am seeing many women participating in formerly only-male professions like piloting, being flight technicians and others. That honestly makes me very happy.  It is something we need more of in our society.  But there aren’t still many women in top-flight positions.  I hope to see more women coming forward to the leadership positions of the company.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

In countries like Ethiopia girls are raised in different environments than boys even within the same family. It is usually the girl’s responsibility to clean, cook and look after the family. This experience helps them to mature early. So when this maturity is supported with education and experience they usually make an outstanding leader.  They have an open eye to observe and evaluate their environment. They make decision based on their judgment not their ego.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

All I can say is just tell yourself that you can do it.  It will not be a smooth ride but it’s worth the bump at the end of the road. Don’t expect validation from anyone. Just believe in yourself and keep showing the world that you have what it takes to do what you are doing and more.

Luana Silva, Content Acquistions Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

As an avid traveller (pre-March 2020, of course), I was quite aware of how essential inflight entertainment is and how helpful it can be during long-haul flights. When the opportunity presented for me to work at Inflight Dublin as part of the Content Acquisition team, I didn’t think twice. From the start, it has been a pleasure to help curate content for airlines and, consequently, passengers from all around the world. It’s very rewarding knowing that I might have a hand in making people’s flights a better experience.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

Most women inspire me, as all of us have our own journeys and obstacles that we face and do our best to overcome. However, I am most grateful to all the women before me who fought for our rights and made it possible for me to be where I am now and having my voice heard.

Q3: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

Companies, and society as a whole, need more perspectives added to the rooms where decisions are made, in order to become more inclusive. Society’s needs don’t always match the ones of white men in suits. We don’t need just more women in leadership positions, but also people from different ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disability status and others.

Q4: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

Don’t doubt yourself and be more assertive!

Yasmine Ibrahim, Training Chief Specialist

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

I started my career in aviation as an air hostess in 1980 and I worked my way up to the position I am in now, so what drew me in was surely the fact that there were untapped opportunities in this industry for females in particular at that time, but as well as the opportunity to see the world and meet people from different cultures. It was definitely an opportunity not to be passed on!

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

• Miss  *Siham Raouf*  (one of the Pioneers in aviation business from the 50’s to 90’s
• Miss *Lyan Hasan* one of the best flight purser also flying crew GM for 3 times between 1980 to 1998
• The legend Miss *Faby Hamza* one of the best air hostess & flight manager
• But above all I look up to my mother (May she RIP) whom without her support and strength, I wouldn’t be where I am

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

Egyptair is one of the biggest companies in Egypt which equalize the gender in business as much as possible by allowing women to not only take on the air hostess positions, but as well as managerial ones within the company.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

Women tend to leave a special mark on everything they touch, whether that’s in the business world or in their home. They lead with a conscious and this is important because women raise generations of strong men and women that we need to lead.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

To keep going no matter what, and to only focus on the end goal. To also make a lot of noise in the face of those trying to block their way.

Tinna Traustadóttir, Product Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

I have had an interest in the aviation industry since I was a little girl. I could say it is in my DNA, growing up with my mother working as a flight attendant and father as a station manager at Keflavik airport. I joined the Icelandair team in 2008 when I was 23 years old and have since then been working in various departments.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former president of Iceland.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

The awareness of gender equality in the workplace has raised a lot in the past years. Many companies in Iceland do have a gender equality strategy where they are working towards having a similar ratio of men and women in leadership roles. Men and women should also have the same opportunities to professional growth and the same salary for the same responsibility. Companies that are working towards this strategy are proud of it as it can also affect the image of the company because this is an important matter to people.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

We need diversity and should use the skillset of both men and women to achieve our goals. I also think it is a human right for women to have the same opportunity for professional growth and women can succeed as well as men in whatever they do.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

Believe in yourself.

Parfaite Rugumba, Product and Services Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

The passion of travelling.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

I am much inspired by our CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

I have seen much progress especially the trust that women are given to represent the airline even outside the country. They are in the executive committee also occupying senior management and management positions.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

We need Women in leadership position because of their ability to pay attention to details which is a key in the aviation industry plus we need women in all industries because of their sense of patience and understanding of other people’s feelings and issues.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

  To be bold, firm and decisive. To take on the career with a focus to make a difference.