Airlines have been stepping up their efforts to recruit more female pilots, and Indian airlines employ the highest proportion of female pilots.
According to the latest statistics from the International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISWAP), Zoom Air, tops the chart, hiring nine female pilots out of a total of 30.
India has a growing middle class and commercial air travel is going to increase.
Kathy McCullough, communications chairwoman for ISWAP and a retired female captain, told BBC that Indian companies have "aggressively encouraged more women to become airline pilots in what they see as an upcoming pilot shortage."
In India, about 12.4 per cent airline pilots are women, and globally, just 5.18 per cent of commercial pilots are women.
In the UK, about 4.77 per cent of airline pilots are women and they earn anywhere between £20-30,000. For experienced captains, pay can reach more than £140,000.
According to the National Careers Service in the UK, that's higher than the £105,250 you could earn as an air commodore in the Royal Air Force.
As for the gender pay gap, Ryanair reported the largest difference for an airline at 71.8 per cent. EasyJet had a 45.5 per cent pay gap, but said that men and women in the same roles are paid equally, reported BBC.
Much of the gap can be explained by the proportion of male pilots. For example, at EasyJet, pilots make up a quarter of its UK employees. About 6 per cent of its UK pilots are women and they are paid £92,400 on average. Lower-paid cabin crew, 69 per cent of whom are women, earn an average salary of £24,800.
The airline has set a target stating that 20 per cent of new entrant pilots should be female by 2020.
Initiatives have also been launched to encourage young women to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, which can be useful for those looking to become a pilot.
Captain Kate McWilliams, an EasyJet employee, became the world's youngest female airline captain at the age of 26. According to her, girls are put off thinking being a pilot is a technical job.
But a huge amount of it is being good with people. As a captain, you're a people manager. There needs to be a change in perception around the job," she was quoted as saying by the BBC.
London vacancies up 9 per cent in Q3 2025, with fintech roles already surpassing all of 2024’s recruitment.
AI positions offer salaries 20 per cent higher than non-AI roles, reflecting fierce competition for skilled professionals.
Near-shoring boosts junior roles in Belfast and Glasgow, but London dominates senior, strategic appointments.
Jobs soar
Artificial intelligence and financial technology are driving job growth in London’s financial sector, with vacancies up 9 per cent year-on-year in Q3 2025, according to Morgan McKinley’s latest Employment Monitor.
Mark Astbury, director at Morgan Mckinley , noted that fintech roles have proved particularly resilient, with companies advertising 6,425 positions already exceeding the entirety of 2024’s recruitment activity. Banks, consumer finance organisations, and ambitious startups are prioritising senior and strategic appointments, particularly in AI strategy, corporate finance, and technology leadership roles.
The rebound represents a marked reversal from Q2 2025, when trade tariff uncertainties prompted hiring freezes. Employers have now resumed delayed recruitment efforts, though the forthcoming UK Autumn Budget in November may yet influence hiring trajectories.
Notably, near-shoring trends are emerging, with regions including Belfast and Glasgow capturing junior-level roles. London, however, retains its stranglehold on high-value, strategic positions. Much now depends on the Autumn Budget and whether it reassures employers or adds further cost pressures that will set the tone for hiring into early 2026.
AI and tech talent
Forbes Advisor research reveals that 79 per cent of UK workers use generative AI at work, while 85 per cent are aware of AI language models like ChatGPT. However, 59 per cent of Brits express concerns about AI, with primary worries including skill loss, job displacement, privacy issues, and autonomous decision-making without human oversight.
The surge underscores London’s position as the United Kingdom’s preeminent hub for technology-driven financial services. Greater London now hosts 1,387 AI-focused enterprises, including heavyweight firms DeepMind and BenevolentAI, making the capital an irresistible draw for major financial institutions, fintech pioneers, and specialist tech firms seeking talent.
The labour market shift reflects wider structural changes within financial services. Automation is dampening demand for graduate and administrative roles, while AI-related positions command salaries approximately 20 per cent higher than comparable non-AI posts a premium reflecting intense competition for skilled professionals.
Investment underpins this expansion. The Government has committed £2.3 billion to AI initiatives since 2014, while companies increasingly deploy generative models and computer vision technologies to streamline operations, strengthen compliance, and innovate service delivery.
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