A group of East London students have won London City Airport’s Women in Aviation programme after taking part in a zero-emission flight challenge.
The award, which was presented at the finale event held yesterday at the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel in Royal Victoria Dock, is part of the airport’s ‘Women in Aviation Programme’ – a 3-month education programme in which up to 300 young women from 10 schools across East London participated.
A panel of judges comprised of industry experts awarded the winning group with vouchers and a special airside tour of LCY to showcase the airport’s state-of-the-art digital air traffic control tower and new generation aircraft. The group, from Sydenham School, showcased innovative ideas and solutions on how to make the airport zero emission, considering both landside and airside operations. The students demonstrated excellent knowledge of how aircrafts can be made sustainable by using hydrogen fuel and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), as well as through changing the material of the aircraft.
The students were joined by role models from across the industry who gave careers talks, including Wilma Allan CFO, London City Airport, Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, Chair of the Airport Operators Association, and Christine Smith, Senior First Officer from British Airways CityFlyer.
This year’s theme was ‘Sustainability within the Aviation industry’ and students were challenged with ‘how to make London City a zero-emission airport’. This follows the airport last year outlining its sustainability roadmap, setting out the steps it will be taking between now and 2030 to become the first net zero airport in the capital.
The aim of the programme is to showcase how Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) can provide solutions to the challenges facing the aviation industry, and to encourage and provide more opportunities for young women to seek careers in the sector.
A number of local councillors from Newham and Barking & Dagenham also attended the event, including Newham’s Cabinet Member for the Environment & Sustainable Transport, and Barking & Dagenham’s Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills & Aspirations and Member Development.
The ‘Women in Aviation’ programme, delivered by 15billionebp, is part of the airport’s wider programme to create a better gender balance across the business and show how the sector offers an attractive career path for young women, including those from BAME communities.
London City Airport’s workforce has historically been 70% male and 30% female; however 2022 data shows a positive move towards a 60/40 split. Increasing this further will remain a focus for the airport, by continuing to promote positive role modelling and furthering support of leading initiatives with local groups and schools to highlight career options for females.
London City Airport’s Chief Financial Officer, Wilma Allan, said: “We’re delighted with the interest and passion that the students have shown in understanding the airport and the steps they can take to help us achieve net zero.
“Our airport thrives on the local community, and 71 percent of staff employed on-site come from within five miles of the airport – a number we are committed to increasing as we welcome back more planes and passengers.”
Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, Chair of the Airport Operators Association, said: “Programmes such as these are vital for raising awareness of careers in the aviation industry among young women, who might not otherwise have sight of the opportunities available to them.”
Christine Smith, Senior First Officer at British Airways CityFlyer, said: “Working as a pilot is an incredibly rewarding job and it was a pleasure to speak to so many bright local students about the skills needed to pursue it as a career.”
London City Airport is committed to supporting the local community through its pillar 3 sustainability strategy. Women in Aviation is part of a number of initiatives coming up this year, with the next focus being on the airport’s flagship STEM in Aviation event, which will take place in November at the ExCel, hosting up to 500 young people from the local East London area. This will be an opportunity for them to see different businesses including Boeing, British Airways CityFlyer, and Accenture to understand skills required for different roles and what they are doing in the sustainability landscape. In addition, LCY launched its Youth Mentoring Programme in 2021/22 to support local young people post-pandemic which took place for a second year in 2022/23.
The airport supports local procurement through its Meet the Buyer event, which hosted 24 buyers including LCY, Lendlease, Kilnbridge, Tower Hamlets Council, Barking and Dagenham Council and One Source on behalf of London Borough of Newham and 101 SMEs in the 2022 event, which generated £5.1milllion in businesses transactions. The next event will be held in October 2023.
Further to that, London City Airport’s Community Fund application for the second tranche closed on the 21st of April, and awardees will receive grants up to £3,000, which will be announced in July. The first tranche saw local foodbanks receiving £50,000 to support with the cost of living. LCY’s commitment to support the local community will continue through staff volunteering in our ‘Volunteering Fortnight’ in July and ’12 Days of Giving’ in December.
