On the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day, Women in Aviation International (WAI), a non-profit organisation, has announced the launch of its India chapter at the US Embassy in New Delhi. The India chapter chaired by Radha Bhatia, chairperson, Bird Group and mentored by CJ Collins, senior representative – South Asia, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will empower women across different verticals in the Indian aviation and aerospace industries.
“I believe that the Indian aviation sector offers immense opportunities for women to touch heights in their careers when provided with adequate guidance and support. With a firm belief to engage, educate and empower women through various initiatives to augment inclusive growth, I together with CJ Collins initiated the formation of India chapter of the Women in Aviation International,” said Bhatia. “The India chapter will provide women aspiring for a career in aviation to connect, engage and draw inspiration across all verticals such as commercial, operations, engineering, financial and human resource to achieve their dreams,” she added.
CJ Collins, senior representative – South Asia, Federal Aviation Administration stated, “With the launch of WAI India chapter, we aim to educate, train and recognise women in aviation industry while empowering them with necessary skills and avenue of growth. Our goal will be to highlight career avenues in verticals which is largely dominated by men force such as manufacturing, leasing, law, engineering, MRO. ”
The India chapter of the Women in Aviation International was jointly inaugurated by Richard Verma, the US ambassador to India and Rajiv Nayan Choubey, secretary, ministry of civil aviation, in the presence of its 15 founding members.
WAI was founded in 1990 as a non-profit organization to encourage the advancement of women in aviation careers, and has more than 12,000 active members worldwide, with chapters located in eleven countries. This is the first WAI chapter in the South Asian region.
