London Stansted opened its doors to the next generation of female aviators on Friday, March 7, hosting a special event to celebrate International Women’s Day and showcasing the exciting careers available in aviation.

Thirty students from Forest Hall School in Stansted Mountfitchet got a behind-the-scenes look at airport life, meeting inspiring female professionals working in a variety of roles, from pilots and security officers to operations managers and hospitality staff.

During their visit, students explored the airport’s Aerozone education centre, where they got hands-on experience and insight into the many different career paths aviation has to offer. 

More than a dozen female professionals from the airport and Titan Airways shared their journeys, offering advice and encouragement to the aspiring young visitors.

Alex Smith, Education Manager at London Stansted, said: "Our goal was to show these young women that a career in aviation is within their reach. They asked plenty of questions, learned about the different roles available, and saw firsthand how many exciting jobs there are at our airport. By connecting them with successful female professionals, we hope to inspire the next generation of women in aviation. It’s about giving them the confidence to dream big and achieve whatever they set their minds to."

Miss Nolan, Head of Year 7 and 8 at Forest Hall School, said: "It was fantastic to see the girls so engaged with professionals they wouldn’t typically have had the chance to meet. The event gave them a unique opportunity to be inspired by careers they may not have previously considered, and it was clear how excited and involved they were. It was a great chance for them to explore new possibilities and broaden their horizons."

London Stansted is committed to nurturing future talent and encouraging more young women to consider aviation careers. Through initiatives like this, the airport hopes to inspire the next generation of female leaders in aviation.