ALPA calls on US government to help boost pilot diversity

Pilot union Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) has called on the US government to help diversify the pilot ranks by making it easier for under-represented groups such as women and minorities to access flight training. The group said Thursday that it believes there are critical areas that the government can “break down barriers to foster a more-diverse and inclusive aviation workforce”. Currently, more than 90% of certificated commercial airline cockpit crew in the USA are white men, and the industry continues to struggle to find qualified female candidates and people of colour enter the field. “As we work to expand and diversify our industry’s highly skilled, trained and experienced pilot workforce, ALPA is also committed to furthering the dignity of work by insisting on an inclusive workplace for aviation employees irrespective of race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or other diversity traits,” says ALPA president Joe DePete. The union’s suggestions include additional scholarship, subsidised loans and loan cancellation programmes, in addition to federal support for institutions that help minorities and other under-represented candidates become airline pilots. <br/>