Airport Development Group and Airnorth celebrate women leading aviation operations for International Women’s Day 2026

Airport Development Group (ADG), together with Airnorth, is proud to recognise International Women’s Day 2026 through a unique aviation initiative showcasing women delivering aviation operations across Northern Australia.

Earlier today, Airnorth services connecting Darwin–Tennant Creek and Darwin–Cairns highlighted strong female representation across aviation, from the flight deck and cabin crew through to airport operations, safety, customer experience and ground handling teams.

This initiative demonstrates women leading, delivering, and sustaining aviation operations end-to-end while highlighting the essential role regional aviation plays in connecting Central and Northern Australia.

Women played key roles across the airport and airline operations supporting these services, recognising their contribution across frontline, technical, operational and leadership roles throughout the aviation sector.

Sandra de Kock EGM People, Culture and Community with Airport Development Group said the initiative reflects both progress made and responsibility carried forward by women working across aviation.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution women make across aviation every day, from airport operations and engineering to leadership and customer experience.

“International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution women make across aviation every day, from airport operations and engineering to leadership and customer experience.

This female-operated services demonstrates the depth of talent, professionalism and operational capability women bring to aviation, particularly within regional and remote environments such as the Northern Territory.

The gains achieved by women in aviation have created pathways that now allow us to give back, supporting the next generation to see aviation as a career without limits.”

Operating aviation services in the Northern Territory presents unique challenges, with remote locations, extreme climatic conditions and complex logistics requiring resilience, adaptability, and sound operational judgement.

Showcasing women leading operations in this demanding environment highlights not only gender representation but the capability required to safely sustain aviation services across some of Australia’s most challenging operating conditions.

The 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Gain to Give” underpins this event, recognising that progress achieved by women in aviation carries a responsibility to uplift others, share knowledge and create opportunities for future generations.

Daniel Bowden, Airnorth Chief Executive Officer said “Aviation in Northern Australia is both remarkable and challenging. Our teams operate across vast and remote regions where aviation plays a critical role in connecting communities, supporting local economies and enabling opportunity. 

We are incredibly proud of the women across Airnorth who help make that possible every day. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to creating pathways that support diversity, build capability and encourage more women to pursue careers in aviation. It is something we are proud to celebrate on International Women’s Day and throughout the year.” 

Through partnerships such as this, Airport Development Group and Airnorth continue to support a diverse, resilient, and future-ready aviation workforce connecting communities across Northern and Central Australia.