23 February 2025 (Geneva) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) opened nominations for the sixth edition of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards. Nominations are welcome from individuals and organizations advancing diversity and inclusion in the aviation sector.

The Awards categories include:

• The Inspirational Role Model Award recognizes a woman holding a senior position within the air transport industry who has had substantial impact on diversity and inclusion in aviation through her significant influence at global level.
• The High Flyer Award recognizes a female aviation professional under the age of 40 who has demonstrated leadership through concrete action in favor of diversity and inclusion, making a positive impact on the industry.
• The Diversity & Inclusion Team Award recognizes an airline that has achieved measurable positive change in diversity and inclusion as a result of the work done in this area. Nominations in this category are open to all IATA member airlines.

'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,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.

Each winner will receive USD25,000, payable to the awardee or their nominated charity for diversity and inclusion activities thanks to the generous sponsorship of Qatar Airways.

'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,' said Antonio Schulthess, Qatar Airways' Chief People Officer.

An independent judging panel composed of the 2024 winners of the Awards and chaired by Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief, Air Transport World will review the nominations to select the winners. The panel consists of:

• 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.

> Further details for the submission of nominations

The winners of the 2025 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards will be announced at IATA's 81^st Annual General Meeting & World Air Transport Summit in Delhi, India on 2 June.