CEBU, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL) is taking a bold step toward closing the gender gap in aviation with its “Fly With Her” program, an initiative aimed at empowering women to pursue careers as pilots.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is taking a bold step toward closing the gender gap in aviation with its “Fly With Her” program, an initiative aimed at empowering women to pursue careers as pilots.
As part of this commitment, the flag carrier has pledged P10 million to the PAL Foundation, which oversees its scholarship program for aspiring female aviators.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reiterate our support for women who dream of flying and even assuming top leadership roles in the PAL organization,” said Alvin M. Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing.
Beyond financial aid, PAL is set to release a short film inspired by a real-life story of a young girl who aspired to become a pilot, reinforcing the airline’s advocacy for gender diversity.
“When young girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same—and possibly go even further,” said Lilybeth T. Ng, PAL Assistant Vice President for Pilot Affairs.
The aviation sector has long struggled with gender diversity, with women making up only about 6 percent of pilots worldwide.
PAL has been at the frontline of addressing this disparity. In 1989, Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria made history as Southeast Asia’s first female commercial airline pilot. She broke barriers again in 1993 by becoming the region’s first female airline captain, setting the stage for future generations of women in aviation.
“PAL continues to lead the way in opening doors for women in this traditionally male-dominated industry,” Ng emphasized.
The airline remains committed to fostering a more inclusive aviation sector, in line with its hallmark #CareThatComes FromTheHeart service.
The push for more women pilots comes at a critical time for the industry. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global aircraft fleet is expected to double in size over the next 20 years, heightening the demand for pilots.
Between 500,000 to 600,000 new pilots will be needed by 2044 to support the projected expansion of commercial aviation.
By investing in female aviators, PAL is not only breaking barriers but also ensuring a sustainable pipeline of skilled pilots to meet the industry’s future needs. — (FREEMAN)