Women in Aviation International (WAI) held its 12th annual Girls in Aviation Day on Saturday, with around 200 events planned at airports, museums and hangars in the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Organisers had expected more than 34,500 attendees, according to figures published before the event. Of the 200 planned events, 70 were in locations outside the United States, in 27 countries, and 131 in the United States and its territories. Final participation figures have not been published.

The event aims to introduce girls, mainly aged 8 to 17, to careers in aviation and aerospace. Participants meet women working in the industry, hear from career panels, tour aircraft and airports, and take part in hands-on activities such as flight planning and a sectional chart scavenger hunt. Events are open to everyone, and most are free.

WAI launched the day in 2015 with 32 events and about 3,200 participants. Last year's event reached more than 33,000 participants in 33 countries at 194 events, WAI said. Some chapters hold their own events in the weeks and months after the main date.

WAI is a non-profit organisation established in 1994 to support women in aviation and aerospace careers.

Source: Women in Aviation International