Pilots union Balpa has introduced the Baby on Board campaign to highlight the importance of maternity pay and other provisions for parents as a way of removing barriers that may deter women from pursuing a career on the flight deck.

Jet2 has joined other airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, in introducing improved maternity pay after previously offering pilots only the statutory minimum.

Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: “We recognised that low maternity pay is a serious problem that can put women off being a pilot. That’s why we launched Baby on Board to highlight the issue and push for real changes. 

“While we still want to see airlines go even further - and give pilots full pay for the first 26 weeks of their maternity leave and half pay for the remainder of their statutory maternity leave – it is great that Jet2 has recognised the issue and made changes. Its policy makes Jet2 one of the industry leaders in terms of maternity, adoption and paternity pay.”

Strutton called for other airlines to “follow suit” by taking similar measures to Jet2 as way to encourage more female pilots.

“If they really want to see more women pilots, they should give parents fair maternity, adoption and paternity pay,” he added.