Philippine Airlines (PAL) is taking a major step in breaking gender barriers in aviation with its “Fly With Her” initiative, a program dedicated to supporting aspiring female pilots. As part of this effort, PAL has pledged P10 million in scholarships through the PAL Foundation to help women achieve their dreams of flying.
“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 scholarships, PAL is set to release an inspiring short film based on the real-life story of a young girl aspiring to become a pilot. This move underscores the airline’s commitment to encouraging gender diversity in the aviation sector.
Lilybeth T. Ng, PAL Assistant Vice President for Pilot Affairs, highlighted the importance of representation: “When young girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same—and possibly go even further.”
The aviation industry has long struggled with gender diversity, with women making up only 6% of pilots worldwide. PAL has been at the forefront of changing this narrative since Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria became Southeast Asia’s first female commercial airline pilot in 1989, later making history as the region’s first female airline captain in 1993.
With the global aviation sector expecting a massive pilot demand of 500,000 to 600,000 new pilots by 2044, PAL’s investment in female aviators ensures a more inclusive future while securing a skilled workforce for the industry’s expansion.
By championing women in aviation, PAL continues to lead the way in fostering diversity, inclusion, and empowerment—proving that the sky is not the limit for aspiring female pilots.
