Aviation trade bodies are to start a global study to identify how the sector can more effectively recruit and advance women into leadership roles.
The ‘soaring through the glass ceiling’ report is due to be published by next summer.
The five backers of the study include Iata and the Airports Council International.
The aim of the joint initiative is to identify the root causes of barriers to advancement that may be hindering progress of women.
It will highlight practices and policies which have been successful in promoting gender diversity in leadership.
Fewer than one quarter of the US aerospace workforce are women, with an even smaller percentage in leadership roles.
“More can and should be done to enable the advancement of women into important leadership roles in the global aviation and aerospace sector,” a joint statement said.