In an effort to encourage women to apply for roles in aviation, Stephanie McGibbon, Aircraft Dispatcher of over 17 years, organized portraits of runway life with female ground crew at Belfast International Airport in the hope of normalizing it as a career choice.
Although the workforce in the UK is made up of close to 50% male to female, research shows this drastically changes in the aviation industry.
“We wanted to show people how normal it is to see women working in ground crew," McGibbon said.
"Fuelling the aircraft, loading and offloading luggage and working with comms when aircrafts land and take off.
"If they see how normal it is, hopefully more women will apply.”
(Tara Millar)
With easyJet doubling its female pilots since their Amy Johnson Female Pilot Initiative in 2015, we watch Michelle Gillan marshalling the plane into Bay 14 at Belfast International Airport.
(Tara Millar)
Sarah Mackay, Ramp Team Leader, then drives the luggage ramp into place as Molly Lees, Aircraft Dispatcher, offloads luggage.
(Tara Millar)
Gemma Cox has worked in aviation for over 22 years and as Crew Training Instructor, oversees operations of crew and machinery.
(Tara Millar)
Leah Neeson, Aircraft Ramp Agent, refuels the aircraft and load the next flights luggage onto the ramp.
(Tara Millar)
“We didn’t want a girl power with lipstick or biceps show, we want to just show other women that it is totally normal to work in our roles," McGibbon said.
"Crew Instructor, Ramp Agents, Airside Team Manager, and Aircraft Dispatcher, we’d love to see more women in our workforce."
(Tara Millar)
As people around the world commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, Belfast photographer Tara Millar, of Dewberry Portraits, wanted to show the ground crew simply at work.
“Not posing, smiling and being on show," Millar said.
(Tara Millar)
"These ground crew just happen to be women. The photographs capture the runway and the various activities that take place when an aircraft is being turned around.
"Women are dotted around working, not necessarily being the main focus on the image.”
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