Gender Diversity in Aviation: Barriers, Opportunities, and Pathways for Equity

Gender imbalance remains a persistent challenge in male-dominated industries such as aviation. This paper examines the state of gender diversity in the Irish aviation sector using original data collected through a national survey conducted in 2023. By analysing responses from organisations across the industry, the study identifies modest gains in overall workforce diversity but continued underrepresentation of women in senior leadership roles. Drawing on gendered organisation theory and research on occupational segregation, the paper explores the structural and cultural dynamics that shape women’s participation and advancement in aviation. By situating the Irish case within the broader international literature on gendered sectors, the analysis offers an empirically grounded contribution to understanding how industry traditions, organisational cultures, and career trajectories interact to sustain gender disparities.