The women shaping the future of regional aviation

Across Europe and beyond, women are steering airlines through transformation, building new carriers from the ground up and guiding organisations through crisis and change.

On International Women’s Day, ERA celebrates members who are strengthening regional connectivity, driving operational resilience, and modernising aviation for the next generation. From island states to global distribution platforms, their journeys reflect ambition, adaptability and leadership grounded in purpose.

 

Shaping connectivity and culture

Establishing a national carrier is a defining moment for any aviation market. For Dr Nadia Giordimaina, Director Regulatory & International Affairs at KM Malta Airlines and ERA Board member, it stands out as a career highlight.

“My biggest achievement?”, she reflects. “Being part of a team that was instrumental in setting up KM Malta Airlines, the airline that provides stable, year-round, reliable connectivity to major European cities from Malta.”

For island regions, air connectivity is crucial for both the economy and daily life – creating that network requires vision, teamwork, and dedication. Dr Giordimaina champions the initiatives that combine operational excellence with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“In 2026, we’re streamlining learning and development to support career growth and mentorship. Longer-term, we aim to build a culture where daily practices, promotions, and leadership development creates opportunity for all employees.”

Her personal values mirror the airline’s approach to opportunity: “Motherhood should never be treated as a penalty where career progression is concerned.” As a mother of three, she believes her own career is proof that her airline lives by this principle.

 

Leading by example

Some leaders make their mark by building airlines from the ground up; others reshape the wider aviation ecosystem. Sandrine de Saint Sauveur, President & CEO of APG Airlines and ERA Board member, exemplifies both. Drawing on decades of commercial and distribution expertise, she launched a carrier aligned with a long-term strategic vision.

“Our group is specialised in commercial and distribution services for airlines. So quite naturally after 25 years we decided to set up our own airline.”

Running one of the smallest IATA airlines in the world comes with unique pressures, particularly in today’s challenging supply chain environment. Yet scale can also be a strength. “I am proud of our small and dedicated team. It shows that ‘small is beautiful’.”

De Saint Sauveur also champions a culture of visible expertise. Her philosophy is simple: lead by example. “Representation matters and seeing women speak at conferences and act as authorities in their fields, not because they are women but because they are good at what they do, sends a powerful message.”

 

Innovation and inclusion in action

Aviation’s global nature is what first drew Kirsten Rehmann into the industry. Now CEO of Hahnair, she joined the company more than 20 years ago when it still had the spirit of a start-up.

“What inspired me most was the international nature of the industry; the opportunity to work with people from different cultures, to connect organisations across borders, and to experience firsthand how travel brings the world together.”

She has progressed through sales, marketing and airline business development to lead a company partnering with more than 350 airlines and serving travel agencies in 190 markets worldwide.

The industry itself has also transformed, from new technologies and distribution methods to changing customer expectations. Among her proudest milestones is the launch of Distriply by Hahnair, a platform that simplifies access to airline content for travel agencies.

Yet Rehmann emphasises that innovation is only part of the story: a thriving company depends on people as much as technology. “We have built and nurtured a strong company culture. One that thrives on diversity, collaboration and a genuine passion for what we do.”

She believes creating an inclusive workplace is central to that, allowing flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid schedules and part-time options. “When combined with a strong culture of inclusion, transparent career development processes and genuine role modelling, they can make a meaningful difference.,” Rehmann adds.

 

Rising to the challenge

For Maren Walters, Managing Director of German Airways, her entry into aviation was hands-on and immediate. “Everything changed the first time I stepped into the hangar in Cologne in 2019. Standing in front of a real aircraft and later taking my first flight in the cockpit sparked a real excitement and curiosity for aviation.”

Within a year, she stepped into the Managing Director role at the onset of the pandemic. “I had never held that position before and my aviation experience was relatively limited at that point in time. The timing made it even more challenging.”

Determination, adaptability and teamwork proved decisive. “I focused on learning quickly, listening and making pragmatic, sometimes creative decisions. I’m proud that I did not give up when the situation was at its toughest.”

Today, German Airways has strengthened customer trust, enhanced its reputation and entered the top 10 ACMI airlines worldwide in 2025. “Together we navigated the crisis and have grown – personally and as an airline – through that experience.”

Walters also champions how her teams grow. She believes development comes from giving people room to learn and innovate: “It should be acceptable to make mistakes while showing the ambition to learn. Expecting perfection on the first try stifles development. That blend of experience and fresh perspectives is where companies truly succeed.”

 

Inspiring the next generation

If there is one unifying theme, it is the power of early exposure.

At KM Malta Airlines, outreach initiatives introduce young people to the possibilities within aviation. German Airways participates in Girls’ Day, inviting schoolgirls into hangars to see first-hand what a career in aviation looks like – an experience that directly influenced Walters’ own path into engineering.

Rehmann encourages young women to approach the sector with confidence. “The industry needs diverse perspectives, and women bring immense value to its future.”

When asked what she would say to young women considering a career in aviation today, de Saint Sauveur offers a concise invitation: “Join me!”

These leaders’ journeys show that aviation leadership is not defined by one route or background, but by vision, resilience and the determination to keep Europe’s regions connected.

And perhaps summing up the spirit of International Women’s Day, Dr Giordimaina concludes: “If you have a passion for aviation, go for it. Just spread your wings and the sky is your only limit.”