With a diverse workforce that comprises 46% women, we take you behind the scenes with trailblazers at Air India who are changing the skies one flight at a time.

In the first story of the series, meet Shradha Dabral, a junior aircraft maintenance technician at the Delhi Airport, as she takes us through her journey in aviation.

What does a typical day in your work life look like?

Every day in aviation is a new beginning, like a fresh chapter of a book that ends with a great lesson. I work in line maintenance at the Delhi Airport as an aircraft maintenance technician, so my daily work involves carrying out pre-flight inspections, transit inspections, troubleshooting, and rectifying problems so the aircraft are back in the air as soon as possible and are in an airworthy condition. There is no better feeling than seeing an aircraft that you’ve worked on take to the skies.

When you tell your friends and family that you work in aviation without revealing your job role, what is their first reaction?

The reaction is a mix of pride, excitement, and curiosity. Some people think that I would be flying airplanes. As aviation is traditionally seen as a male-oriented field, my dad was slightly worried but also proud of me for standing against the odds and excelling in a job that is both unique and outstanding.

You work in a predominantly male-oriented sphere. How have you navigated your career in this context?

My belief is that an aircraft does not know if I am a man or a woman. Then why should I have that distinction. I have always done the work I have been given with rigour and perfection, and that helped me propel ahead. This is a tough industry even for men, as it requires discipline and alertness. 

How has Air India supported you in your journey?

I have been very fortunate as gender hasn’t played a part in my work at this organisation. But that’s not the case for everyone, and women still face challenges due to their gender in many organisations. I don’t believe I have experienced this during my career with Air India, even though I’ve always worked in roles stereotypically undertaken by men. Air India has been a pillar of support in this journey.

Any special memory you hold close in all your years of working here?

As employees, we get concessional air travel tickets for family. I started saving money, and by the end of the year, I booked a flight for my parents and my grandmother to visit Pashupati Nath in Kathmandu and paid for their staycation. For the first time in her entire life, my grandmother boarded an airplane and saw what an airport and an airplane look like. I am very grateful to the company that made me capable of doing this for my family.

One piece of advice for young women aspiring to pursue a career in aviation.

Don’t define yourself by characteristics like gender; define yourself by your ability. There are some great role models out there in the aviation industry, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice. Every year, the participation of women in aviation is increasing. The differences in the jobs held by men and women are growing smaller. It is becoming more common to find women working in the hangar or at the front line of aviation MROs. So, go ahead and live your dreams!

Stay tuned to read more such inspiring stories about women at Air India.

Watch: Air India celebrates diversity and inclusion in the workplace