UK aviation industry sees highest number of licences issued to women but mountain still to climb

At a glance

• Between 2019 and 2023, there has been a 26 per cent increase in pilot licences issued to women.
• There’s been a 43 per cent increase in the number of licences issued to women for commercial flying, and a 11 per cent increase for general aviation flyers.
• Licences for women remain under 10 per cent of total and UK Civil Aviation Authority continues big push for more women in aviation.

More women are now flying aeroplanes, helicopters and other forms of aircraft than ever before, new data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority shows.

With still only around six per cent of pilots worldwide being women, there has seen a 26 per cent increase in the number of female pilots being issued licences from the UK regulator. However, there remains a significant gap between the numbers of male and female pilots getting licenced in the UK.

The news comes after a Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (WiAAC) event held at the Farnborough International Airshow. During the panel, the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Chair and Patron of the Charter, Sir Stephen Hillier highlighted the overall post-pandemic recovery in the number of licences issued.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority data showed that in 2019, the number of pilot licenses issued to women were 239, but this increased to 301 in 2023. This compares to 3267 issued in 2019 and 3752 in 2023 – only a 15 per cent increase.

Sharon Nicholson, Chairwoman of the British Women Pilots’ Association and UK Airprox Board Inspector at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 

“As a pilot, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the rise in female pilots over the years, the change in the industry makes it more accessible for young women.

“I actively encourage young females to consider flying as a career choice and it’s empowering to see so many unlocking the incredible possibilities of the aviation industry.”

Bronwyn Fraser, Secretary of the British Women Pilots’ Association and Sustainability Principal at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 

“Women pilots bring diverse perspectives and skills.

“But aviation is so much more than just flying. We have brilliant women engineers, air traffic controllers, and sustainability experts pushing the boundaries of innovation, developing new technologies and unlocking the full potential of our airspace. 

“We need more young women in aviation and must inspire the next generation to take flight and build an inclusive future for aviation." 

Most licences issued to female pilots were for aeroplanes – both commercial and general aviation – with 270 licences issued in 2023, compared to 202 in 2019, marking a 34 per cent increase in aeroplane licences issued to women.

There has also been a 43 per cent increase in commercial licences issued to women, compared to 31 per cent for men. For private licences issued, there has been a 11 per cent increase for women, whereas there has been a one per cent decrease for men.

Helicopter licences (25 issued in 2023) were the second most common licences issues by the regulator, with balloon pilot licences the third most common (3). Other pilot licences issued include Gyroplanes and Sailplanes.  

The increase in the number of licences issued also signals a recovery following a drop in the number of licence applications during the Covid-19 period (2020-2021). 

The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to support increasing the numbers of women in aviation and aerospace, particularly through its STEM programme. The regulator supports several initiatives to encourage girls to gain the skills they need to pursue careers in the industry including, The Girls Network, STEMettes and Tech She Can. 

Notes to Editors:

• Full statistics for female pilots can be found here: https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/approved-persons-and-organisations/personnel-licensing-statistics/pilot-licence-holders-by-age-and-sex/
• Details of the UK Civil Aviation Authority STEM programme can be found at https://stem.caa.co.uk/