AESA receives the Ellas Vuelan Alto award for its commitment to equality

• This recognition distinguishes organizations that stand out for their commitment to equality, diversity and the transformation of the aerospace sector.
• Montserrat Mestres, director of AESA, collected this distinction highlighting the importance of attracting female talent to the sector and understanding equality as a competitive advantage.

Madrid, 16 October 2025 (AESA).

The Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) has been recognised with the Ellas Vuelan Alto Award (EVA) in the ‘company’ category during the event organised by the association’s 7th Anniversary, held at the El Beatriz Auditorium in Madrid. 

This award, which is part of the 7th Annual EVA Awards, distinguishes organizations that stand out for their commitment to equality, diversity and the transformation of the aerospace sector. AESA was awarded for its firm commitment to inclusion, visibility of female talent and equal leadership at all levels of the organization.

Montserrat Mestres, director of AESA, collected this award surrounded by a great representation of the Agency's team. In her words, she highlighted the importance of attracting female talent to the sector: “Equalityis presented not only as a right or an ethical issue, but as a strategic lever for security and innovation. In aviation, this equality is not just justice: it is efficiency, it is safety and it is sustainability”.

In addition, he stressed that, currently, 38% of the staff of AESA is composed of women - a figure that amounts to 47.63% if external technical assistance is included. This data reflects a significant evolution in a traditionally masculinized sector. In addition, AESA is positioned as a benchmark in inclusive leadership: its Management Committee has a female majority ,5 women compared to 3 men, and 10 Heads of Division, 20 Heads of Service and 1 Technical Adviser stand out, demonstrating the key role of women in the Agency’s decision-making and operational excellence.

Therefore, this award, presented by Enrique Maurer, CEO of ENAIRE, symbolizes the value of being a reference for the new generations of women who aspire to develop their career in the aerospace field. AESA shares the spirit of EVA by making women visible, promoting these references and promoting a culture of co-responsibility.

Recognition of female visibility

Isabel Maestre, president of EVA, expressed her deep gratitude to the AESA team for the constant support and collaboration offered as the association's silver partner. In addition, she recalled the achievements they have achieved in these seven years of history and the importance of continuing to work to boost female talent in the aerospace sector.

For her part, Gema Martín, vice president of EVA, was in charge of granting the rest of the recognitions of the ceremony. In the ‘individual’ category, Carolina Martinoli, CEO of Vueling Airlines, was awarded for her exemplary career in defending equality in the sector. In addition, Esther Pérez, the first female aircraft maintenance technician in Spain, was presented with an Honorable Mention for being an inspiration and example for all.

This recognition reaffirms AESA's role as a transformative agent and committed to a fairer and more equal future in aviation.

About AESA

AESA is the State body, attached to the Secretary of State for Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which ensures that civil aviation standards are complied with in all aeronautical activity in Spain.

The Agency has the missions of Supervision, Inspection and Management of Air Transport, Air Navigation and Airport Security. It assesses risks to transport safety and has the power to impose penalties for breaches of civil aviation rules.