Cebu Pacific (5J | CEB) has earned distinction on the national stage after placing as second runner-up in the Gender-Inclusive Workplace category at the 2026 Philippines Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. Organized by UN Women Philippines, the awards program operates under a comprehensive global framework established jointly by UN Women and the UN Global Compact. The initiative serves to recognize and celebrate organizations taking bold actions, introducing innovative workplace initiatives, and demonstrating measurable results that actively advance gender equality and foster inclusive working environments.
Significantly, Cebu Pacific stood out as the sole Philippine air carrier among this year’s recognized honorees. The airline secured this accolade in recognition of its sustained efforts to broaden professional opportunities and career pathways for women across every tier of its organization.
Commenting on the milestone, Felix Lopez, CEB Chief Human Resources Officer, highlighted the carrier’s broader mission to dismantle historical barriers across the sector, “In aviation, some careers have traditionally been seen as men’s roles. At Cebu Pacific, we want to change that narrative. We want more women not only in leadership, but also in our cockpits, hangars, and other areas where they have historically been underrepresented. Having women hold 41% of our executive positions is encouraging, but our ambition goes further. It’s about ensuring that capability, performance, and character — not gender — determine how far someone can go. This recognition tells us we’re making progress, but more importantly, it reminds us that there is still much more we can do.”
The carrier’s internal metrics illustrate this upward trajectory in representation. In 2025, women accounted for 41% of executive leadership positions across Cebu Pacific. This benchmark notably surpasses the broader airline industry average of 31%, as documented in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 25by2025 report.
Beyond executive representation, Cebu Pacific actively channels resources into the continuous professional advancement of its female workforce through internal grassroots programs and collaborative industry partnerships. Central to these internal efforts is empowHER, an employee-led organization established under the Juan CEB Community (JCC). This dedicated network provides women throughout the company with an established platform to exchange professional experiences, cultivate valuable workplace connections, and actively champion one another’s ongoing career development.
To ensure its internal policies align with established standards, the airline has also collaborated with external advocacy groups dedicated to economic empowerment. In 2023, Cebu Pacific established an industry precedent by becoming the first airline to join the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE). Through this institutional partnership, the carrier applies PBCWE’s Gender Equality Assessment, Results and Strategies (GEARS) analytical framework to rigorously evaluate corporate policies and pinpoint specific areas requiring enhancement.
The airline has concurrently broadened the scope of its advocacy beyond its immediate corporate boundaries to cultivate interest among the next generation of female aviation professionals. In October 2025, Cebu Pacific hosted the Philippine launch of Women in Aviation International – Philippines during the annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD). The experiential event welcomed young Filipinas to participate in guided aircraft tours, engage in interactive hands-on activities, and connect directly with practicing women pilots, aircraft engineers, maintenance mechanics, and cabin crew members.
Through these continuous structural and community programs, the carrier continues to champion women’s participation at every stage of their aviation careers, contributing to a more balanced and inclusive aerospace sector. Cebu Pacific currently operates an extensive network covering 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.