Female Pilots in India: Breaking Barriers in the Cockpit
There was a time when the cockpit was seen as a man’s world, but nowadays, Indian female pilots are flying beyond this man’s world – literally. Females who are pilots in India are rewriting the meaning of flying high from commercial jets flying at 35,000 feet to fighter planes going with the speed of sound.
When it comes to the number of women in aviation, India is the world’s leading country. The global share of women pilots is approximately 5%, but in India, this figure around 15% — among the highest. This is not just an indicator but rather a reflection of the extent Indian women have come in realizing their aspirations..
From Grounded Dreams to Soaring Reality
Women’s journey in aviation started long before the introduction of modern aircraft or sophisticated training institutes. The road was paved with courage.
In the year 1936, Sarla Thukral was the first Indian woman to fly a plane — she was only 21. Two decades hence, Durba Banerjee became the first woman pilot. These pioneer aviators were able to comply with the social standards of their time and demonstrated that women were just as capable as men in the cockpit.
The scenario has changed a lot from back then — now, many young girls each year enroll at the best flying schools like the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, and Flytech Aviation Academy. What is their ambition? To get the coveted gold stripes and take charge of an aircraft of their own.
Where We Stand Today
In the Indian aviation industry, women have made their presence felt like never before. Data from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reveals that there are around 2,764 women pilots out of 17,726 registered pilots (2021 data).who are flying on domestic as well as international routes. The major airline companies such as Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet are leading the change in this area.
- The female captain ratio at Air India is frequently among the highest in the world and sometimes even the highest.
- IndiGo has over 400 women pilots which is a commendably extraordinary thing for an airline anywhere in the world.
- Vistara and AirAsia India still are putting in lots of effort in mentoring and creating the right atmosphere for the women to work.
The women in the defense sector are also venturing into previously held male domains. To a great extent, the sky was gender neutral due to the women pilots’ bravery and expertise in the instance of three main Indian Air Force’s first female fighter pilots in 2016 — Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth, and Mohana Singh.
Why India Leads the Way
The various reasons for the question “why India has such a high percentage of female compared to male pilot” are uplifting:
- Equal Opportunity Policies
The DGCA makes no distinction in licensing criteria for different genders. Similarly, most airlines are implementing policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusivity among their employees in terms of recruiting rather than just retaining or promoting. - Changing Mindsets
Nowadays, Indian parents are much more tolerant of their daughters opting for unconventional careers. Aviation is no longer regarded as ‘too tough’ or ‘too male-dominated’. - Scholarships and Training Access
A number of Scholarships as well as training schemes are available to support talented young women in obtaining their pilot’s license free of charge. - Role Models Who Inspire
Little girls when they see Captain Zoya Agarwal flying a crew over the North Pole quite understand that the cockpit isn’t only a dream but a place to be.
Turbulence Still Exists
While the progress is worth celebrating, challenges still remain for women pilots in India.
- Balancing Work and Family: Odd flying hours, overnight layovers, and long rosters can make personal life tough, especially for working mothers.
- Gender Bias: While less overt than before, some biases still linger — women often feel the need to “prove” their capability.
- Cost of Training: Pilot training in India can cost anywhere between ₹40–60 lakhs (estimated cost) which still limits access for many deserving aspirants.
But despite these challenges, India’s women pilots continue to rise — confident, capable, and unstoppable.
Inspiring Women Who’ve Changed the Game
Captain Zoya Agarwal
She became a global icon when she led an all-women Air India crew on the world’s longest flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru, flying over the North Pole. The UN later recognized her for promoting gender equality in aviation.
Captain Ritu Rathee Taneja
A commercial pilot and content creator, she uses her platform to inspire young aviators and normalize women’s presence in cockpits.
