MANILA -- Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is celebrating National Women’s Month and International Women’s Day by mounting all-women crews for at least nine flights this week. These flights include international destinations with some heading to the United States, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Captain Lilybeth Ng, AVP for Pilot Affairs of PAL’s Flight Operations, said that this is their way of reminding the public that women can be in any sector, including the traditionally male-dominated aviation industry. An all-female crew encompasses the pilot, first officer, and all cabin crew members.

“It’s the same as driving a car. Before, there were no female [drivers]. Maybe male passengers or in general passengers were afraid of female drivers. It’s a matter of perception,” she said on the rise of female pilots.

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Currently, 12 percent of PAL's pilots are women, a significant number but the airline is confident that this figure will increase in the near future. Ng said that decades ago, female pilots were unheard of in the country, saying, “I remember when we were in PAL Aviation School before, it was kinda new. There were 5 of us lady pilots, pilot trainees”.

The first Filipina commercial airline pilot, Aimee Carandang Gloria, graced the send-off for the female pilots and crew. She is no longer a pilot but welcomed the growth of women pilots in the country. Aside from being the first Filipina commercial airline pilot, she is also the first woman captain in Southeast Asia. “Twelve percent, 60 plus women pilots. I think that is a testament that belief women can really achieve anything they set their minds to,” said Gloria.

PAL now hopes to attract more young women to join and become a pilot or cabin crew.

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