International Women’s Day was marked in the skies as Aer Lingus used an all-female team on EI162 from Dublin to London Heathrow.
Captain Louise Gilroy, assisted by First Officer Amy Cunningham, were joined by an all-female cabin crew and assisted by a Turnaround Coordinator, Flight Operations Officer, Dublin Airport Duty Manger and Guest Service Agents, among others.
Captain Louise Gilroy said: “In 1977 Grainne Cronin was the first woman to be selected as a pilot by Aer Lingus and became Aer Lingus’ first female Captain. Now 40 years later, almost 10pc of our pilots in Aer Lingus are female. We need more women in visible leadership positions, who will challenge the norms and find new ways of working if our industry is to keep apace with change. I hope that young girls and women will see opportunities for them in a career in aviation or aerospace.”
Sharon Carlyle, Dublin Airport Duty Manager, said: “The position of Duty Manager is thoroughly enjoyable and challenging, however I have never felt that gender defines us in the workplace. International Women’s Day is a great day to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of women. I work alongside many inspiring women and today we can show how much we value them for pushing the traditional gender boundaries.”
Fiona Power, Cabin Service Manager, said: “I enjoy working alongside many inspiring women each day, and men too of course. As an empowered woman I’m proud to represent our national airline and fly the shamrock on International Women’s Day.”
Eileen Quinn, Turnaround Coordinator, said: “The role of Turnaround Coordinator is to manage the dispatch of the aircraft. I liaise with the Cabin Crew and handle any issues should they occur on board. As part of my role I ensure there is fuel on board, the total number of passengers have boarded the aircraft and all bags and cargo have been loaded which I then communicate to the Captain before the flight departs.
“It’s an area of the airline business that many would expect to be male dominated. Celebrating International Women’s’ Day with my fellow female colleagues I am proud to carry out the job I do.”
Aer Lingus has over 2,000 female employees across all areas.
