The UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has launched a landmark study to assess the barriers facing women in the global aviation sector, aiming to improve representation and strengthen the industry’s future workforce.

ICAO said in a Facebook post on Friday that the air transport sector is undergoing rapid transformation and will require a strong pipeline of skilled professionals to meet long-term goals, including universal air connectivity, zero fatalities, and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Despite this growth, women remain significantly underrepresented across technical and leadership roles, facing obstacles ranging from stereotypes and biases to safety concerns and limited access to mentorship. ICAO said the sector must offer safe and supportive workplaces to ensure women can fully contribute to aviation’s resilience and innovation.

The new study, part of ICAO’s Gender Equality Programme, will gather global data from women across more than 70 aviation job categories. It aims to identify bottlenecks, document lived experiences, and produce evidence-based recommendations to advance women’s empowerment at all levels of the industry.

The research is currently in its design phase and led by gender specialist Dr. Elise Stephenson. A sector-wide survey is expected to begin by January 2026. ICAO said inquiries on the initiative may be directed to Dr. Stephenson at estephenson@icao.int.