Airbus Group Promotes Gender Balance, Welcomes 150 Young Women At Paris Air Show

Le Bourget, 18 June 2015 – Airbus Group and the French association “Elles Bougent” joined forces at the Paris Air Show to inspire girls to consider technical careers in the aerospace industry. Thierry Baril, Airbus Group Chief Human Resources Officer, welcomed more than 150 girls today for a visit of the company’s static display and a meeting with Airbus Group experts, in the presence of Dorine Bourneton, the first paraplegic woman aerobatics pilot.

Airbus Group also hosted today the International Aviation Women Association (IAWA) breakfast reception. Women from across the global aerospace industry gathered to share their experiences at the Airbus Group Pavilion. This year, the event took place in the presence of Captain Ari Fuji, the first female airline captain in Japan currently working for Japan Airlines (JAL), and her team.

“Diversity, and in particular gender balance, is a business necessity. It is a means of enriching our business culture and increasing the company’s performance and competitiveness,” said Thierry Baril. “Our main objective is to inspire women to join our industry and to encourage them to drive their careers forward, developing their leadership skills, expanding their networks and sharing experiences. We are proud and honoured to sponsor and to host these events at the Paris Air Show,” he added.

In addition, Airbus Group also contributed to the competition “féminisons les métiers de l’aéronautique” organised by Airemploi, aimed at attracting girls into the aeronautics industry.

The Group’s success is based on the diversity of its workforce across cultures, social backgrounds, skill profiles and ages. Initiatives to foster culture change include the launch in March 2015 of a new unified business network named ‘Balance for Business’, aiming at fostering gender balance and spurring the recognition and development of women across the Group.