Cebu Pacific has taken a major step toward advancing gender equality in the aviation industry by hosting the official launch of Women in Aviation International – Philippines (WAI-PH), the country’s first organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Filipinas in all aviation sectors.
The Philippine chapter marks the local extension of Women in Aviation International (WAI), a global nonprofit organization with more than 20,000 members worldwide. WAI’s mission focuses on mentoring, offering scholarships, and creating networking opportunities for women in aviation and aerospace, from pilots and engineers to cabin crew and industry leaders.
“Cebu Pacific is proud to support this initiative that empowers women in aviation. It aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can take flight,” according to Shevantha Weerasekera, CEB Vice President for Engineering and Fleet Management.
The launch event, co-sponsored by Cebu Pacific’s Engineering and Fleet Management (EFM) division and its People Department, alongside WAI-PH’s founding officers, comes at a time when the Philippine aviation sector continues to undergo rapid transformation. As local carriers modernize their fleets and embrace digital innovations, organizations like WAI-PH play a key role in addressing workforce challenges and ensuring that more women are included in the next generation of aviation professionals.
In conjunction with the launch, WAI-PH also celebrated Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD), an annual global initiative designed to inspire young women to explore aviation and aerospace careers. The event featured interactive learning experiences, aircraft tours, and inspiring talks from female pilots, engineers, mechanics, and cabin crew. Participants also received educational kits from WAI-USA, giving them early exposure to real-world aviation concepts and opportunities.
The hands-on event highlighted the vast career possibilities available to women, from flight operations and engineering to air traffic control, maintenance, and management. It also underscored the message that gender should never be a barrier to achieving one’s dreams in the aviation field.
Looking ahead, WAI-PH plans to expand its membership beyond its founding organizations — Cebu Pacific, Aplus, and Airlink Aviation College — to include other airlines, aviation schools, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers across the country. The organization envisions creating a strong support network through mentorship programs, leadership development workshops, and community outreach initiatives.
Through these efforts, Cebu Pacific and WAI-PH hope to inspire more Filipinas to pursue aviation careers and take an active role in shaping the future of the country’s growing aviation industry. Their shared mission reflects a broader commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, ensuring that the skies remain open to everyone who dreams of flying.