Skye Air to train 500 women drone pilots, breaking barriers in India's logistics industry

Technology has often been seen as a catalyst for breaking gender barriers—from women entering STEM careers to leading roles in digital innovation. Yet, some sectors, like drone aviation, have remained largely male-dominated, with women struggling to find a foothold. However, as the drone industry expands and drone deliveries become the future in India, the demand for skilled pilots is rising—creating a unique opportunity for women to enter the workforce.

On the global front, the number of women in drone aviation is increasing. In the US, the percentage of female pilots holding FAA Remote Pilot Certificates nearly doubled from 3.9% in 2016 to 6.7% in 2019. While the numbers remain small, the shift is underway.

In India, however, the drone sector has seen little to no women pilots, with the space remaining largely male-dominated. Skye Air Mobility, a hyperlocal drone logistics company, is looking to change that by committing to training 500 women drone pilots over the next two years, creating India’s first-ever all-women drone delivery team.

“This is not just about training women to fly drones—it’s about reshaping the entire logistics industry and proving that women can lead in every sector,” says Ankit Kumar, founder & CEO of Skye Air Mobility.

The lack of women in the drone sector stems from several factors, including limited access to training programmes, resources, and mentorship. Industries like drones, space, and virtual reality have long been seen as male-centric, but companies are now shifting their focus to creating more inclusive ecosystems.

“As we see significant advancements in technology adoption in the drone sector, we want to move forward together and develop the entire architecture of how things translate on the ground,” says Kumar.

Recognising this gap, Skye Air plans to equip women pilots with expertise in drone operations, delivery management, and last-mile logistics as part of its larger initiative. The move aligns with the government-backed ‘Namo Drone Didi’ programme, which aims to encourage women to harness drone technology for economic empowerment.

“From this day onwards, we are committed to increasing the number of drone pilots, particularly from diverse backgrounds. This initiative will truly transform the future of logistics in this country,” adds Kumar.

With urban logistics evolving rapidly, the demand for skilled drone pilots is only expected to grow. In February 2025, Gurugram alone recorded 1.5 lakh drone deliveries, with drones delivering goods in under seven minutes. By creating a pipeline of trained women drone pilots, Skye Air Mobility hopes to reshape the logistics industry while opening up new career opportunities for women in a cutting-edge field.