Do We Need to Celebrate International Women’s Day?

“My journey into aviation began with a dream when I was five years old, flying to Jersey on holiday. Like most aviation stories, the path from that first spark of inspiration to the flight deck was not a straightforward one. There were many jobs along the way to fund the dream, an initial journey into the rotary world with a helicopter PPL, and ultimately a transition to fixed-wing flying. Many years later and after a period instructing, I was fortunate to join Loganair.

Today, much of my flying takes me to Shetland, largely serving the oil and gas industry. Yet what makes Loganair particularly special for any aviator is the sheer variety of flying. It is certainly the only operator in the world where you can spend the first half of your shift flying a procedural approach into a remote Scottish island and the second half heading into Heathrow. It’s a wonderful reminder of how diverse and rewarding this profession can be.

Which brings me to International Women’s Day…

Rather than simply celebrating it, I think it’s worth asking ourselves an important question: do we still need to celebrate it in aviation?

For many of us flying today, the industry we work in feels welcoming, professional and merit-based. Yet it’s important to pause and reflect on whether there is still more we can do to encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to pursue a career in aviation.

If your answer is yes, and you recognise a part you could play in making the industry even more open and supportive, then I encourage you to do so. Small actions, mentorship, encouragement, and visibility, all make a real difference.

And if your answer is no, then perhaps that in itself is something worth celebrating; that the industry I first dreamed of joining over three decades ago has evolved into one that fully welcomes me.

Either way, International Women’s Day offers us a moment to reflect on how far aviation has come, and how we can continue to ensure the skies remain open to everyone who shares the same dream of flying.”

Angela Macdonald 

ATR Captain 

Loganair BALPA CC Chair