Conservatives Target Airlines Over Diversity and Inclusion Criticism

Right-wing influencers and media outlets are stirring up opposition to airline diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, falsely claiming that they could lead to safety issues and criticizing efforts to increase diversity among pilots and flight engineers. Despite the criticism, DEI programs have not led to drastic changes in airline employee diversity. Critics have misquoted and misunderstood statements from airline executives, and their attacks on DEI programs have been denounced by industry professionals and civil rights organizations. The focus on airline DEI initiatives has intensified, with right-wing influencers and politicians also looping in other hot-button political subjects such as immigration.