Constraints on women pilots in airline industry: A rising sector of international trade

Abstract

Commercial airlines of air transportation have been going through a number of enormous changes since the 1980's with the impact of globalization in the whole world. Similarly, Türkiye participating in the globalization process has been deeply affected by the norms and values of international trade. This article focuses mainly on one of the changes, the access of women in a totally men dominated area, piloting in commercial airlines by considering liberal feminism as theoretical framework. In the era of globalization, in addition to the constraints, they have to struggle against their men colleagues. By means of semi-structured in-depth interviews, the study investigates initially the difficulties that women face due the negative attitude of their parents when they declare their ambition to become pilot. Moreover, it focuses on the prejudiced attitude of their trainers during their education period. Furthermore, it explores all the barriers constructed against women after obtaining their license. They are initially private sphere constraints due to their role as a wife and mother. Next, obstacles in work sphere caused by their administrators, their men counterparts, namely FO's and captains, flight attendants and passengers. Finally, the study concludes by providing solutions and recommendations in order that women can participate in that profession in large numbers and confront with all the gender stereotypes in piloting.