Airworks Aviation Academy, based in Cebu, has solidified its leadership in Philippine aviation education, drawing growing interest from both local and international students pursuing careers as airline pilots. This reaffirms the statement by Gelena Asis-Dimpas, Chief Tourism Operations Officer of the Department of Tourism (DOT-7), highlighting Cebu's emergence as a focal point for aviation education in the Philippines.
According to Dimpas, aside from the renowned English as a Second Language (ESL), which tops the rank in terms of Education Tourism, Cebu is now gaining popularity in Aviation education, alongside maritime education, and tropical culinary education. In an interview with Airworks Aviation Co. president Vincent Charles Ong, he said that the school, now situated in Lapu-Lapu City, has attracted students from at least 31 different countries, as well as a growing number of Filipinos considering becoming airline pilots as their profession.
Cebu Pacific recently unveiled its collaboration with Airworks Aviation Academy for the Cadet Pilot Program, providing aspiring pilots comprehensive training, mentorship, and assured employment opportunities within the airline. This pioneering partnership, a first in the Philippines, seeks to alleviate the global pilot shortage impacting the aviation sector. Over the next five years, Cebu Pacific and Airworks Aviation Academy aim to graduate a minimum of 300 cadets.
"For thirty years, Airworks Aviation has grown steadily to enable aspiring pilots to pursue an aviation career. This cadet pilot program, which we launched together with Cebu Pacific, will allow us to further provide aspiring pilots with the means to fulfill their dreams at the most competitive cost and incentives. Together, we are forging the future of aviation in the country", Ong said.
The CEB Cadet Pilot Program is a 96-week, self-funded program that trains candidates to become licensed commercial pilots. "We're thrilled to offer aspiring pilots the opportunity to become commercially licensed through our Cadet Pilot Program. Currently, we are the only airline in the Philippines with a cadet pilot program. This initiative will allow us to produce highly skilled pilots ready to provide safe, convenient, and reliable flights for every Juan", said Capt. Samuel Avila II, CEB Vice President for Flight Operations during the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Cebu Pacific and Airworks Aviation held at Nustar Resort.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), each job within the air transport sector supports an additional 29 jobs across tourism, supply chains, and related industries. IATA has also warned that the global aircraft fleet is expected to double in size over the next 20 years, intensifying the demand for pilots. It is projected that between 500,000 to 600,000 pilots will be required over the next two decades to meet the doubling of aircraft in operation by 2044.
Located at the General Aviation Area of Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, Airworks Aviation operates its airline pilot training academy. Accredited by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as an Approved Training Organization, it provides extensive flight training programs for aspiring pilots globally. Established in 1993, Airworks Aviation has experienced consistent growth over the years, establishing itself as a leading flight school in Southeast Asia.
