IATA Opens Nominations for Sixth Annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards

Each award recipient will receive a prize of USD 25,000, which may be directed to the awardee or donated to a nominated charity supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has officially opened nominations for the sixth edition of its prestigious Diversity and Inclusion Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations driving positive change within the aviation sector.

Award Categories

The 2025 edition features three award categories, each aimed at highlighting and celebrating significant contributions to diversity and inclusion:

1. Inspirational Role Model Award – This award honors a woman in a senior position within the air transport industry who has made a profound impact on diversity and inclusion on a global scale through her leadership and influence.

2. High Flyer Award – This category acknowledges a female aviation professional under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through tangible actions that promote diversity and inclusion within the industry.

3. Diversity & Inclusion Team Award – Open exclusively to IATA member airlines, this award recognizes an airline that has successfully implemented initiatives leading to measurable advancements in diversity and inclusion.

Fostering a More Inclusive Industry

With the aviation sector continuously expanding, industry leaders emphasize the importance of attracting diverse talent. Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, highlighted the need for gender-balanced workforce initiatives, stating, "The aviation sector is growing, and attracting more talent to join the industry is critical. 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."

Generous Sponsorship and Recognition

Each award recipient will receive a prize of USD 25,000, which may be directed to the awardee or donated to a nominated charity supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives. This generous sponsorship is made possible by Qatar Airways. Antonio Schulthess, Chief People Officer at Qatar Airways, reaffirmed the airline's commitment, stating, "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."

Independent Judging Panel

The 2025 award winners will be selected by an independent judging panel chaired by Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief of Air Transport World. The panel comprises accomplished professionals, including:

• Kendra Kincade – CEO and Founder, Elevate Foundation
• Mafunase Ngosa Malenga – Founder and Managing Director, Southern Africa Institute of Aviation Science and Technology
• Jade Fisher-Ryner – Inclusion and Diversity Advisor, British Airways

Award Ceremony Details

The winners of the 2025 IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards will be announced at the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting & World Air Transport Summit, set to take place in Delhi, India, on 2 June 2025.

Nominations are now open, and IATA encourages industry professionals and organizations to submit their applications to recognize those making significant strides in advancing diversity and inclusion in aviation.