Philippine Airlines (PAL) is taking significant steps to close the gender gap in aviation through its Fly With Her initiative, which empowers women to pursue their dreams of becoming pilots for the nation’s flagship carrier.
In a recent move to support this mission, PAL committed P10 million to the PAL Foundation, which oversees a scholarship program dedicated to women aspiring to join the ranks of professional pilots.
“As we mark International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting women who dream of not only flying for PAL but also reaching leadership positions within the organization,” said Alvin M. Miranda, Vice President for Marketing at PAL.
In addition to the P10 million pledge, PAL will also release a powerful film based on the inspiring real-life story of a young girl who aspired to become a pilot. The film aims to inspire the next generation of women to pursue their ambitions in aviation.
“When young girls see women in leadership roles, it sparks the belief that they, too, can achieve similar—and even greater—things,” said Lilybeth T. Ng, Assistant Vice President for Pilot Affairs at PAL.
The gender disparity in aviation remains stark, with women representing only around 6% of pilots globally, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives that promote diversity in the field.
A Long History of Empowering Women in Aviation
PAL has been a pioneer in advancing opportunities for women in the airline industry. In 1989, PAL made history when Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria became Southeast Asia’s first female commercial airline pilot to fly a commercial flight.
Carandang-Gloria broke further barriers in 1993 when she became the region’s first female airline captain. PAL continues to lead the charge in breaking down gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, ensuring that more women can take to the skies.
