Vanja Marčeta Makes History As Air Serbia’s First Female ATR Fleet Captain

In a historic milestone, thirty-two-year-old Vanja Marčeta has become the first female captain in Air Serbia’s ATR fleet, marking a significant achievement for the Serbian national airline.

Vanja began her aviation career with Air Serbia in 2016 as a first officer on a Boeing 737-300. Her journey through the ranks continued, and in 2022, she transitioned to the ATR fleet as a first officer.

On July 9, 2024, Vanja was officially appointed as captain, making her the first female pilot to reach this rank in the airline’s 97-year history. She completed her inaugural flight as captain on July 14, 2024, on a route from Belgrade to Budapest.

“Becoming a captain is a pinnacle in every pilot’s career, a lifelong dream fulfilled. It’s an immense honor to serve as a captain for Serbia’s national airline. In my new role, I will continue to perform my duties with passion, ensuring the safety and comfort of my crew and passengers,” said Captain Marčeta, reflecting on her groundbreaking achievement.

Women lead the way

The presence of women in Air Serbia’s cockpits is steadily increasing. Recently, Neetu Rakić, a seasoned Airbus A320 pilot, was promoted to captain of the wide-body Airbus A330-200, making her the first female captain in Air Serbia’s long-haul operations.

Another trailblazer, Vesna Aleksić, who joined the airline in 2016, was the first woman to captain the Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Today, Vesna serves as the Airbus fleet manager and captain-instructor for line training.

Air Serbia’s commitment to gender diversity is evident, with women making up 50.69% of the airline’s workforce. The flight crew includes six other women, and the cabin crew boasts over three hundred female members. This progress aligns with the broader aviation industry’s efforts to increase female representation. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is spearheading the “25 by 2025” initiative, aiming for at least 25% female representation in senior management roles by 2025. Air Serbia is already ahead of the curve, with women holding more than 48% of management positions.

Captain Marčeta’s achievement not only represents a personal milestone but also a significant step forward for gender equality in aviation. As Air Serbia continues to champion diversity and inclusion, the skies are becoming a more equitable place for all.