Trailblazers honored at 2025 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards

June 2, 2025 in Business, Companies, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Claudia Zapata-Cardone, Katherine Moloney, and Air Canada Recognized for Driving Equity in Aviation

New Delhi — The 2025 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards have celebrated three outstanding contributors to a more equitable aviation industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) named this year’s winners during the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in New Delhi, immediately following the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting.

Captain Claudia Zapata-Cardone, President of Latin Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), received the Inspirational Role Model Award for her groundbreaking work in advancing representation for Latino and female professionals in aviation. The daughter of Latino immigrants to the United States, Zapata-Cardone is an accomplished airline captain and advocate. Under her leadership, LPA has launched transformative initiatives such as ALAS, which inspires youth; ELLAS, which mentors Latinas in aerospace; and Compasión, which supports pilot mental health. Her work has significantly expanded scholarships and female participation in aerospace communities across the United States and Latin America.

Katherine Moloney, founder of Elevate (her) Aviation, was honored with the High Flyer Award for creating a global platform that promotes aviation careers for women. Elevate (her) offers free lifetime access to mentorship, resources, and networking, backed by major aviation players including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Skyborne. In just one year, the platform has grown to include thousands of members in 63 countries and hosted both online and in-person events. It has also seen substantial digital engagement, reaching 8 million people via Instagram. Moloney herself has amassed over 256,000 followers on her aviation-focused account, amplifying her message of inclusion and opportunity.

The Diversity & Inclusion Team Award went to Air Canada, recognized for its structured and far-reaching efforts to embed diversity in the heart of its operations. Through its CARE model—Community Outreach, Accountability, Representation, and Engagement & Belonging—Air Canada has built robust pipelines for underrepresented youth through programs like AC Spark and AC Take Off, which target children and young adults aged 5 to 25. These initiatives provide mentorship, scholarships, and clear pathways into aviation careers, helping to create lasting change for individuals, communities, and the broader industry.

Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief of Air Transport World and Chair of the judging panel, commended the winners, saying, “Diversity and inclusion is strategic for aviation as the industry’s growth is contingent upon attracting a strong talent pool with a wide variety of skills. Congratulations go to this year’s awardees who have all excelled at creating the potential for any individual to have a great career in aviation—an industry that is a powerful force for social and economic prosperity.”

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasized the broader impact of the awards. “As we mark the seventh year of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards, they continue to play a pivotal role in making aviation a more inclusive and representative industry that supports innovation, enhances decision making, and strengthens customer engagement. These awards highlight how inclusion is not just the right thing to do—it’s also a strategic advantage.”

Sponsored by Qatar Airways, each of the three award recipients receives a $25,000 prize, payable to themselves or a nominated charity. Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, said the awards reaffirm the industry’s commitment to meaningful change. “It is affirming to witness our industry blooming on the tenets of diversity and inclusion, thus ensuring the longevity of the sector. Today’s announcement represents the great work of these aviation leaders in bringing forth innovation in varied facets of aviation. Congratulations to all the winners for exemplifying excellence and being the benchmark of thoughtful change in the industry.”

As the aviation sector continues to evolve, the 2025 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards serve as a beacon of progress, honoring individuals and organizations who are reshaping the skies with opportunity, representation, and vision