MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL) continues to break barriers for women in aviation, building on the legacy of Capt. Aimee Carandang-Gloria, Southeast Asia’s first female commercial pilot.
Inspired by trailblazers like Capt. Yvonne Sunga and Capt. Hidelina Patrimonio, PAL is committed to closing the gender gap in the male-dominated industry. To support aspiring female pilots, the airline has pledged P10 million to the PAL Foundation for the Fly With Her scholarship program.
The initiative will award P2.5 million each to four qualified female cadets. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, hold a STEM-related college degree, and exhibit leadership potential. The final selection will be made by PAL’s president and board of directors.
“With this scholarship, we hope to inspire more women to pursue their dreams of flying,” said PAL Vice President for Marketing Alvin Miranda.
Capt. Patrimonio credits PAL for her growth, saying, “Working with the company has helped me grow as a pilot, thanks to continuous training programs and strong leadership support.”
Meanwhile, Capt. Sunga hopes to inspire future aviators. “As I continue in this career, I want to pay it forward and help those who dream of flying, just as I once did,” she said.
PAL currently has over 80 female pilots, representing 9% of its roster—above the 6% global average. With its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the airline is empowering more women to soar in the aviation industry.