SEPANG: AirAsia announced the designation of its chief sustainability officer Yap Mun Ching as an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) ambassador under the United Nations aviation agency’s newly launched Global Ambassadors Programme.
The ICAO Global Ambassadors Programme (IGAP) was launched in March 2026 as a new initiative to attract skilled, competent and diverse talent to support the aviation industry’s long-term growth.
Under ICAO’s 2026-2050 Strategic Plan, air traffic is projected to reach 12.4 billion passengers annually by 2050 – nearly tripling from 4.6 billion in 2024 – creating significant demand for a pipeline of competent professionals, from pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers and maintenance technicians.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to lead this growth, accounting for 35% of global traffic today and potentially 50% by 2050. The IGAP enlists aviation leaders to champion advocacy and outreach efforts, particularly among youth and women, to explore careers in aviation and help build the next-generation workforce.
The two-year designation from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 follows a nomination by Transport Ministry, in recognition of Yap’s expertise in aviation sustainability and her work in advancing the sector’s talent development. She joins a distinguished cohort of aviation professionals selected to support ICAO’s Strategic Plan 2026-2050.
Yap said: “I am honoured to be designated an ICAO Global Ambassador and grateful to the Transport Ministry for the nomination. This role underscores the importance of collaboration in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for aviation.
“Our region is home to extraordinary talent and immense untapped potential. As aviation continues to evolve, we must open more doors for young people to build meaningful careers. Having navigated my own path in what was once a predominantly male industry, I want to show the next generation, especially young women, that they not only belong in aviation but can lead and make a real impact. I look forward to connecting with young people across the region and inspiring them to pursue the opportunities that this industry has to offer.”
The designation reinforces AirAsia’s long-standing focus on talent development and diversity – an area where the airline has built a tangible track record.
Since welcoming its first female pilot in 2002, women pilots today make up 8.3% of AirAsia’s flight crew, above the global industry average of 5-6%.
As a digital-forward company, women also represent 29% of its ICT team. These numbers reflect AirAsia’s track record in creating pathways for local and female talent to thrive in technical roles while fostering a more collaborative and dynamic culture.
Yap’s career reflects this path. Since joining AirAsia as route planner, she has held leadership roles in fleet planning, airline strategy and corporate foundation development. She now leads AirAsia’s environmental strategy, steering sustainability action across seven airlines in five countries.
