Imagine an industry that brings together talent from across the globe, representing diverse backgrounds, driving innovation, delivering better service to passengers, and contributing to the global economy. This is not just an ideal—it is a vision the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been working tirelessly to realize. Recently, IATA announced the winners of its 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Awards, recognizing individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to fostering diversity and inclusion in aviation.
Awards Presented at World Air Transport Summit
New Delhi—During the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in New Delhi, India, IATA officially unveiled the recipients of its annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards. The summit, held immediately after the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, provided the perfect platform to honor these industry pioneers.
This year’s awardees include:
- Inspirational Role Model Award: Claudia Zapata-Cardone, President of the Latinos in Aviation Professionals Association (LAPA)
- High Flyer Award: Katherine Moloney, Founder of Elevate (her) Aviation
- Diversity and Inclusion Team Award: Air Canada
"Diversity and inclusion are strategic imperatives for aviation, as the industry's growth depends on attracting a strong talent pool with diverse skills. Congratulations to this year’s winners, who have all excelled in creating opportunities for individuals to build rewarding careers in aviation—an industry that serves as a powerful force for social and economic prosperity. Their achievements set an example for others to follow," said Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief of Air Transport World and Chair of the judging panel.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, added, "Now in its seventh year, the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards continue to play a pivotal role in making aviation a more inclusive and representative industry—one that fosters innovation, enhances decision-making, and strengthens customer engagement. These awards highlight that inclusion is not just the right thing to do—it is also a strategic advantage. I commend all the nominees, especially the winners."
The IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards are generously sponsored by Qatar Airways. Through their support, each winner will receive a $25,000 prize, which can be directed to themselves or a charity of their choice.
Engineer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, stated, "It is gratifying to witness our industry thriving on the principles of diversity and inclusion, ensuring its sustainability for years to come. Today’s announcement reflects the remarkable work of these aviation leaders in driving innovation across all aspects of the sector. Congratulations to all the awardees for setting exemplary standards and serving as benchmarks for thoughtful change."
Meet the Winners
Captain Claudia Zapata-Cardone, the daughter of Latino immigrants, is an airline pilot and volunteer advocate dedicated to breaking barriers and opening doors for underrepresented communities in aviation. As President of LAPA, she has turned vision into action—expanding scholarships, increasing female membership, and launching impactful programs across the U.S. and Latin America. These initiatives include ALAS, which inspires youth; ELLAS, which mentors Latina women in aviation; and Compasión, which supports pilots’ mental health.
Katherine Moloney founded Elevate (her) Aviation, an online resource platform and global community committed to increasing the representation of women in aviation careers worldwide—from pilots to engineers and air traffic controllers. The organization provides free access to events, resources, and lifetime memberships, made possible through partnerships with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Avincis, Draken, Cirrus, Skyborne, Tecnam, and UK NATS. Elevate (her) also conducts research and outreach programs in schools, colleges, and universities.
Reflecting strong demand, Elevate (her) Aviation has grown to thousands of members across 63 countries within just one year, hosting popular in-person and virtual events globally.
Through its CARE model—Community Outreach, Accountability, Representation, and Engagement & Belonging—Air Canada is setting new standards for inclusive aviation. Its AC Spark (for ages 5-17) and AC Take Off (for ages 17-25) programs are reaching underrepresented youth across Canada, offering mentorship, scholarships, and pathways into aviation careers—benefiting individuals, communities, companies, and the broader industry.