Key Takeaways
• Philippine Airlines pledged $175,000 on March 7, 2025, to fund scholarships for aspiring female pilots, launching in September 2025.
• The scholarship covers tuition, flight training, simulator costs, uniforms, and exams for women aged 18-30 with Philippine citizenship.
• PAL aims to double female pilot representation from 8.1% to 15% by 2030, addressing gender inequality in aviation.
On March 7, 2025, Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced a groundbreaking commitment to gender diversity in aviation, pledging $175,000 to help aspiring female pilots pursue careers in the industry. This effort reflects PAL’s dedication to reducing the gender gap in aviation and encouraging more women to take leadership roles within an industry historically dominated by men.
Celebrating Women in Aviation: PAL’s “We Fly With Her” Campaign
The announcement was made as part of PAL’s “We Fly With Her” campaign, which highlighted the airline’s commitment to inclusivity and gender equality through a series of all-female crew flights. Between March 4 and March 10, 2025, the airline operated nine flights staffed entirely by women, including pilots, co-pilots, and cabin crew. Routes for these groundbreaking operations included major international cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, and Jakarta, as well as domestic destinations such as Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Tagbilaran.
This historic celebration brought together trailblazing women in aviation, including Captain Aimee Carandang Gloria. Captain Carandang Gloria is a celebrated figure in aviation; she made history when she became Southeast Asia’s first female commercial pilot in 1993. Speaking at the campaign event, she reflected on her 1992 flight as part of the Philippines’ first all-female crew, recounting the progress made in gender representation since then. “When I stand before you today, I see not just pilots but future leaders who will continue to inspire generations to come,” she said, expressing optimism for the future of women in aviation.
$175,000 Pledge: A Path to Empower Women Pilots
The $175,000 pledge from Philippine Airlines is a significant step forward in empowering aspiring female aviators. The funds will establish a scholarship program that provides financial and institutional support for women passionate about flying but who face economic barriers to entry. Becoming a pilot often requires costly training, with expenses that include tuition fees, flight hours, simulator time, and exam costs. For many, these financial hurdles prove insurmountable, and the scholarship program is aimed at addressing precisely this problem.
The scholarship, which is set to launch in September 2025, will initially support five female candidates through an 18- to 24-month training program. This comprehensive initiative will cover:
- Tuition fees for aviation ground school
- Flight training hours required for certification
- Simulator training costs
- Pilot uniforms and equipment
- Examination fees for obtaining necessary pilot licenses
To qualify, candidates must meet stringent eligibility criteria. Applicants must be female, hold Philippine citizenship 🇵🇭, be between 18 and 30 years old, and possess at least a bachelor’s degree in any field. They will also undergo aptitude tests, medical exams, and interviews to ensure they meet industry standards. Graduates of the program will be offered employment opportunities with PAL, contingent on fulfilling regulatory and certification requirements.
Progress in Numbers: The Role of Women in Aviation
The announcement of the scholarship program comes at a time of change in aviation, with both the airline and the broader industry working to narrow the gender gap among pilots. As of March 2025, 60 of Philippine Airlines’ 740 pilots—about 8.1%—are women. While this figure is modest, it reflects notable progress compared to past years and is higher than the global average. Worldwide, women comprise only around 5% of commercial pilots.
Industry statistics further illustrate the shift towards greater inclusivity. Between 2010 and 2023, the commercial sector saw a 79% increase in pilot licenses issued to women. Overall pilot licenses issued to women grew by 58% during the same period. These numbers indicate steady progress, yet they also underscore how much still needs to be done.
PAL’s approach is part of a larger movement within the Philippine aviation sector, which aligns with efforts across Asia to address the looming pilot shortage. Boeing has forecasted that the Asia-Pacific region will need more than 264,000 new pilots by 2038 as demand for air travel continues to climb. Initiatives like this scholarship program present a golden opportunity for women to enter the field and help fill this gap while shaping a more equitable future for aviation.
Supporting Future Female Aviators: PAL’s Broader Inclusion Efforts
Beyond the scholarship initiative, Philippine Airlines has rolled out several programs aimed at encouraging and supporting women to build aviation careers. These efforts include:
- Mentorship Programs: PAL pairs experienced female pilots with aspiring aviators to offer guidance and career advice.
- School and University Outreach: The airline runs campaigns in high schools and universities across the Philippines to inspire young women to consider aviation as a viable and fulfilling career path.
Family-Friendly Policies: To make the workplace more supportive, PAL has introduced flexible work arrangements for its pilots who are balancing professional and family responsibilities.
Unconscious Bias Training: PAL provides training for its hiring managers to help eliminate biases during recruitment and promote fairness at every stage of the hiring process.
During the campaign event, Captain Lilybeth Ng, PAL’s AVP for Pilot Affairs and Flight Operations, spoke about the importance of visible role models in motivating the next wave of female pilots. “When young women see someone like them in a position of leadership, it sends a strong message: this is achievable,” she said. Role models are critical because they demonstrate what success can look like and help break down traditional stereotypes surrounding women in aviation.
Why Now? The Demand for Innovation in Aviation Leadership
The timing of PAL’s pledge coincides with an exciting yet challenging era for the aviation industry in the Philippines 🇵🇭 and beyond. As the sector rebounds from global air travel slowdowns caused by the pandemic, airlines face an urgent need for skilled professionals to fill a growing number of roles. Programs that welcome, support, and train women can be key to meeting this demand while also opening doors for underrepresented groups.
In the Philippines, the aviation field presents an especially promising career path for women. The country consistently ranks near the top in global gender equality indices, particularly regarding education and economic participation. However, aviation remains one of the few fields where glaring gender disparities persist. By reducing barriers and actively working toward equity, Philippine Airlines is not only addressing these disparities but also contributing to national and global progress.
Long-Term Vision: Setting the Standard for Gender Equality
Looking ahead, PAL aims to ensure its initiatives have wide-reaching impacts. By 2030, the airline plans to double its percentage of female pilots, increasing their share from 8.1% to 15%. Achieving this ambitious goal will require continued investment in recruitment, training, and mentorship, as well as collaboration with local aviation schools to foster a sustainable talent pipeline.
The ripple effects of the “We Fly With Her” campaign and the scholarship program could extend far beyond the airline itself. Initiatives like these are not just addressing immediate needs, such as filling pilot shortages. They’re reshaping the future of an entire industry, fostering inclusivity, and inspiring other airlines to take similar steps. As explained by VisaVerge.com, innovative programs like PAL’s can serve as models for other airlines across the region to emulate.
The scholarship program’s success will undoubtedly be marked by the achievements of its first cohort, who are expected to complete their training as early as 2028. These young women could fundamentally change aviation in the Philippines while inspiring similar strides in gender equality throughout Southeast Asia 🌏.
Conclusion: Breaking Barriers and Paving Pathways
Philippine Airlines’ $175,000 pledge to support the next generation of female pilots represents a major step toward overcoming barriers that have long hindered women from entering aviation. The scholarship program is not just about financial aid—it’s about transforming perceptions, creating opportunities, and pushing the boundaries of what women can achieve in the aviation sector.
As the aviation industry evolves, PAL’s initiative serves as a shining example of how targeted efforts can produce tangible results. With the first scholarship cohort taking to the skies within a few years, the program has the potential to change both individual lives and the aviation workforce. By investing in women, PAL is investing in the future of the industry—where the flight deck is open to all, regardless of gender.
Learn Today
Gender Diversity → The inclusion of individuals across different genders to promote equality and reduce disparities in opportunities.
All-Female Crew Flights → Flights operated entirely by women, including pilots, co-pilots, and cabin crew, showcasing inclusivity and gender representation.
Aviation Ground School → Educational training programs teaching foundational knowledge required for becoming a licensed pilot, such as navigation and aircraft systems.
Unconscious Bias Training → Programs aimed at recognizing and reducing implicit prejudices during decision-making, ensuring fair and inclusive recruitment practices.
Mentorship Programs → Initiatives that pair experienced professionals with newcomers to provide guidance, support, and career development opportunities.
This Article in a Nutshell
Philippine Airlines’ $175,000 pledge to empower aspiring female pilots signals a transformative leap for aviation. Through scholarships, mentorships, and inclusive policies, PAL breaks gender barriers, nurturing future leaders in a male-dominated field. Their “We Fly With Her” campaign proves equality isn’t just an ideal—it’s the key to shaping aviation’s inclusive future.
— By VisaVerge.com
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