Women in Aviation: Advice from Female Leaders on Succeeding in the Industry

For International Women’s Day, we have asked several of Euro Jet’s female managers to share their opinions on building a successful career in aviation. Representing a range of roles within our company – from Human Resources to Operations to Billing – they offer their insights on confidence, resilience, and professional growth in the dynamic field of aviation. Their perspectives highlight eight competencies needed to thrive in the industry. 

I. Confidence: The Foundation of Success

Confidence emerges as a recurring theme in the advice shared by Euro Jet’s female leaders. Building self-assurance is essential to tackle obstacles and reach goals.

“Believe in your abilities,” advises Billing Manager Ludmila Buxarova. “Be open to new prospects and never shy away from difficulties. Confidence will help you navigate the challenges and seize the growth opportunities in aviation.”

Kristyna Horakova, Head of Corporate Governance, echoes this sentiment. “Be confident in what you bring to the table, stay open to learning, and do not be afraid to speak up.”

II. Passion: Driving Motivation and Excellence

A central role in the advancement of many women in the industry is passion. It fuels motivation, inspires growth, and helps individuals overcome difficulties.

Ludmila, who will soon celebrate 10 years with Euro Jet, shares her perspective: “Passion for what you do is crucial. When you love what you do, it becomes easier to face the challenges that arise and keep progressing.”

Petra Dlabolova, Operations Control Center Manager, also speaks to the importance of passion in her career journey. “Aviation is demanding,” she says. “But it is also incredibly fascinating and fulfilling. Keep learning, stay curious, and surround yourself with people who motivate you to grow.”

III. Resilience: Turning Hurdles into High-Fives

In aviation, high expectations and unpredictability are the norm, resilience is not just valuable – it is required.

“Aviation never sleeps,” says Marketing Manager Jana Midriakova. “Be prepared for long hours, hard work, and constant change. Do not feel intimidated, stay the course, be professional, and continue to develop your skills.”

For Petra, resilience means viewing challenges as stepping stones to growth. One defining moment came when she spoke at the International Operators Conference in Orlando, Florida, as the only woman on the Ask-the-Experts Panel alongside ten men.

“It could have been intimidating, but I embraced the opportunity and enjoyed the experience,” Petra recalls. This moment of standing out in a male-dominated environment fueled her determination and ability to demonstrate her expertise.

“While I am often one of the few women in the room, I see it as motivation to push forward and excel.”

She adds, “this industry needs more women.”

IV. Empathy: The Power of Kindness and Patience

Understanding the feelings, perspectives, and experiences of others is fundamental because it helps strengthen customer relationships and helps teams navigate high-pressure situations with composure.

Julie Kissimon Stefanova trains new team members at the 24/7 Operations Control Center and believes understanding and patience are key to providing excellent customer service. “Empathy is one of the most important traits in aviation,” she says.

“Delays, flight cancellations, and lost baggage occur daily causing passengers to miss meetings, vacations, or family reunions, leading to frustration. To offer exceptional service, it is important to approach these situations with understanding and empathy.”

V. Curiosity: A Path to Growth and Advancement

The importance of continuous learning is another key theme among Euro Jet’s female leaders. Welcoming new knowledge, staying curious, and adapting to industry changes are all vital to thriving in aviation. Julie says, “leaning into the complexity rather than being intimidated by it is crucial.”

Kristyna emphasizes, “there is always something new to learn, which keeps me engaged and motivated. Women entering the industry should continue building their expertise, seek out opportunities to learn, and take on new challenges.”

VI. Networking: Building Strong Connections

Networking plays an integral role in advancing within the aviation industry. Developing meaningful relationships with colleagues and mentors can positively impact career growth with informal workplace connections playing just as an effective role as external professional groups.

Kristyna stresses, “building strong relationships is essential. Having mentors and a supportive network can open doors to new opportunities. Networking is invaluable in aviation.”

Jana highlights the importance of women uplifting the other women around them. “Women should support one another by celebrating each other’s achievements,” she says. “Do not hesitate to reach out to a female colleague with a message acknowledging their value and offering encouragement.”

“Rather than competing, women should support one another,” she adds.

VII. Multitasking: The Secret Superpower

The ability to multitask effectively is a valuable skill, and it becomes necessary in managing fast-paced environments.

Julie shares, “women often excel at multitasking, which is a tremendous asset in aviation.”

This skill is fundamental not just in Operations, but across various roles in aviation, where juggling multiple priorities is the norm.

Ludmila supports this idea. “Women are greatly appreciated in aviation due to our skills such as attention to detail and multitasking,” she says. “These qualities are critical in this industry because aviation requires a high level of precision and organization.”

She continues, “excelling in aviation is possible not only through hard work, but also through our natural strengths that bring added value to the industry.”

VIII. Technical Skills: Breaking Down Traditional Barriers

Dominika Bartova, Human Resources Specialist at Euro Jet, emphasizes the importance of technical skills in aviation. She believes that women can excel in these areas, especially as stereotypes begin to disappear.

“Fortunately, the notion that ‘piloting is a man’s job’ is fading,” Dominika observes. “Women bring valuable analytical expertise to the table, and these skills are crucial for success in aviation.”

She encourages women to pursue their goals with confidence, regardless of traditional barriers. “Do not let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do,” she advises. “If you are passionate about aviation, follow your dreams and embrace the challenges.”

Images: Euro Jet Archive, Shutterstock