UK female pilot licence growth about twice that of men

UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) data show that by the end of 2025, commercial pilot licences held by women rose to 1,156, up 5.3% year on year; general aviation licences rose to 1,718, up 9.3%, with both growth rates about twice that of men. In 2025, 295 pilot licences were first issued to women, the highest since the pandemic, up nearly 70% from 174 in 2024. In 2026 this growth trend continued, with female commercial pilot licences reaching 1,218 in early October, up 5.4% from the start of the year.