DPA Rejects All Prejudice Against Women and Minorities in the Aviation Industry

A series of recent aircraft accidents in the United States have created a misleading perception among the traveling public that aviation is becoming less safe. At the same time, a troubling trend on social media has falsely accused women and minorities of failing to meet the necessary standards to serve as crewmembers in modern aircraft. These baseless accusations do not reflect reality and only serve to create a false narrative that unfairly targets these groups.

Never in the 130-year history of aviation has air travel had a better safety record than it does today. Current statistics serve as undeniable proof of the hard work and dedication that aviation professionals have invested in ensuring safety. This progress comes at a time when flight decks around the world are more diverse than ever, finally reflecting the social diversity of our society. Women and minorities have consistently demonstrated exceptional aviation skills, as exemplified by the historic contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II.

The advancement of aviation safety is closely tied to programs such as Crew Resource Management (CRM), which enhance teamwork among pilots regardless of their background, gender, or ethnicity. At its core, teamwork is the most crucial element of aviation safety, and diversity plays a vital role in fostering effective collaboration.

As professional aviators in the United States, united by our Dominican heritage, we firmly reject these baseless attacks on our colleagues, who have always been held to the same rigorous standards as everyone else. We urge the traveling public to patiently await the conclusions of official investigations. Be proud of the women and minorities in aviation—it has taken immense effort and dedication for all of us to reach these positions, and we remain committed to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of aviators.