A Success! YQL Aviation Day 2024
Lethbridge Airport, in collaboration with CAREERS: The Next Generation, is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the inaugural YQL Aviation Day, which took place on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Born out of a father’s love for his daughters, this free community event highlighted careers in aviation with a special emphasis on women in aviation and succeeded in inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.
The immersive day was held on the airfield and featured a wide array of exhibits. One of the highlights was the static aircraft display, including an F-18 Demo Cockpit courtesy of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The event also included a career fair, guest speakers, and numerous networking opportunities.
This year’s theme, “Women in Aviation,” addressed the significant gender disparity within the aviation industry. According to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada, only six percent of commercial airplane pilots, four percent of commercial helicopter pilots, and 15 percent of air traffic controllers in Canada are women. YQL Aviation Day featured female guest speakers, including Dina Jammaz, Jennifer Dandy, Janice Kirkham, S/CST Kathy Stewart, CAPT. Rosella Bjornson, CAPT. Patricia Beaudin, and Karen Macdonald, all of whom have made significant impacts in the aviation industry. The event also provided information on how organizations are promoting careers for women in aviation.
Anthony Kish, Lethbridge Airport Electrician, played a crucial role in organizing the event. As a father to four daughters, one of whom hopes to be a pilot, he noticed the challenges his daughters faced because of their gender and wanted to make a difference.
“I started to notice a lot of the speed bumps that they had, and it really made me angry as a dad,” said Kish. “I love this city, I love this job and I love this trade, and I love my girls. So, I saw an opportunity to bring it all together into one and have an event that would address those and so much more on those issues.”
The success of YQL Aviation Day was made possible by the hard work and dedication of our exhibitors, volunteers, food trucks, incredible speakers, and the enthusiastic guests who attended. We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event a triumph. The event has set a strong foundation for future initiatives aimed at encouraging diversity and inclusion within the aviation industry.
