Gender equality
In the context of the principles of equal opportunities for men and women for access to and professional and career development, BULATSA initiated and implemented a number of activities to encourage and recognize more women in the field of air traffic management. In February 2020, BULATSA successfully conducted the first of its kind “Girls Open Day”, through which the enterprise opened its doors to them. The initiative gives opportunities to young girls (14-25 years old) to get acquainted with the profession of Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) and the opportunities for realization in BULATSA. As part of a planned information campaign to encourage more women in aviation, at BULATSA are conducted series of interviews with male and female ATCOs who share their interactions.
In March 2020, BULATSA signed a “Declaration on equal opportunities for women and men in the transport sector”, in the context of the European Commission’s strategy for gender equality. The declaration is part of the comprehensive policy of the European Commission to support the realization of women in the field of transport.
Due to the pandemic in 2020, the international conference “Women in Aviation: a General Approach to Equal Opportunities”, planned by BULATSA for March within the largest world aviation exhibition with participants from the whole aviation industry, did not take place. In November 2020, however, the conference did take place, but in a virtual environment, and it set the beginning of a European network of the aviation industry to promote the principles of equality.
There are annual Open Day recruitment campaigns, as well as media campaigns on YouTube and Facebook focusing on the career development of female ATCOs at BULATSA, presenting the profession through their eyes, some of which are listed below:
- https://lider.bg/viktoriya-benli-rakovoditel-na-poleti-bulatsa-infarktnite-momenti-sa-chast-ot-rabotata-ni/
- https://btvnovinite.bg/predavania/tazi-sabota-i-nedelia/vse-poveche-zheni-u-nas.html
- https://www.jenatadnes.com/hora/boryana-jenata-koyato-razminava-samoleti-v-oblatsite/
- https://www.economy.bg/management/view/25721/JOBS-in-BG-Kakvo-e-da-rabotish-kato-rykovoditel-na-poleti-v-DP-RVD
- https://www.btv.bg/shows/predi-obed/videos/zhenite-koito-vladejat-vazdushnoto-prostranstvo.html?fbclid=IwAR301LvHpRjBQLnSO1gjQ7UCfXIV1k_xrw0pA0HyHZ5oZvSDhLZjX8ZxgTw
- https://www.btv.bg/shows/tazi-nedelia/videos-nedelia/zhenite-koito-pazjat-nasheto-nebe.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTeb8w9CqFk
BULATSA participates in a number of European and international forums and working groups that develop concrete actions and methods for the realization of policies of equality between women and men.
In June 2023, BULATSA approved its “Gender Equality Plan”, which recognizes the principle of equal opportunities for men and women for access to professional and career development and the positive aspects of achieving gender balance. The plan presents statistics, recognizing the contribution and participation of women in the decision-making processes and the achievement of the enterprise’s corporate goals. It also presents information on what has been achieved so far, as well as the future goals of the enterprise, among which – maintaining gender equality and increasing the awareness and qualification of employees on issues related to gender equality.
On 7 March 2025 BULATSA hosted the first „Women in Aviation – sustainable development and attraction of talents” Conference.
The female participation in the aviation sector in Bulgaria – civil and military – is growing and thriving. Women are choosing this professional path with a firm belief that their work is not only responsible, but truly inspiring. The conference gathered representatives from BULATSA, the Bulgarian National Supervisory Authority, the Bulgarian Air Force, Bulgaria Air, SOF Connect and Eurocontrol. The participants celebrated their achievements, outlined the challenges they face, as well as highlighted the need to attract young aviation professionals for the benefit of the sector. The participants in the forum decided to make the conference a tradition to be held annually on the eve of International Women’s Day on March 8.
