For the first time in history, Cebu Pacific has chosen a local partner for its prestigious cadet pilot program, moving away from the tradition of using foreign schools and instead focusing on cultivating local aviation experts.
The partnership between Cebu Pacific and Airworks Aviation, led by president and pilot Vincent Ong, aims to produce around 300 pilots over five years, creating a steady supply of flying professionals as the airline prepares its largest-ever purchase of planes.
“The timing is right for the Philippines to stand up and really lead this part of the world in terms of aviation,” Cebu Pacific CEO Michael Szucs said during the partnership signing event in the Fili hotel in Nustar Resort & Casino in Cebu on Thursday.
Szucs, who joined British Airways’ cadet program in 1989, affirmed the high quality of pilots that complete these training courses.
“It’s a tried and tested method, one that I have personally been the beneficiary of when I first started my flying career,” he said.
Big picture
It is no secret that Cebu Pacific needs a massive number of pilots and cabin crew as it enters final talks for a $12 billion order of 100-150 planes from either Airbus or Boeing, marking the largest aircraft purchase in Philippine history.
The Airworks deal will produce a steady supply of pilots who will be given guaranteed jobs in Cebu Pacific. The carrier is also accepting qualified applicants from other flying schools and airlines, given its significant requirements over the next 10 years, Szucs said.
Landmark agreement
This deal was 10 years in the making, but Ong said they persevered and grew the business despite the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today marks an unprecedented milestone as for the first time an airline cadet pilot program has been awarded to a company in the Philippines. Typically, airline-backed cadet programs in the Asia-Pacific region are dominated by Australia and New Zealand,” Ong said.
“Today, we proudly add Lapu-Lapu, Cebu in the Philippines to the list of countries offering an airline-backed cadet program,” he added.
Aviation leader
Ong said aviation offers a chance for the Philippines to catch up with its peers.
“The Philippines may have lagged in practically all metrics versus our regional peers, but as the launch today shows, this will not be the case in aviation,” Ong said.
“Aviation will make our country soar again,” he added.
Jobs guaranteed
The Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program is a 96-week, self-funded program that trains candidates to become licensed commercial pilots. Pilots will gain a commercial pilot license with instrument rating and 200 hours of flight time experience.
Cadet graduates will be eligible to fly either Airbus A320 or the ATR 72-600.
Industry leading pay
Capt. Samuel Avila II, Cebu Pacific vice president for flight operations, said the starting pay for the entry-level first officer role is about P200,000 per month, which is higher than other domestic carriers.
He said the pilots typically become captains in five years, where the base pay is around P300,000 per month before bonuses and profit sharing.
Costs and support
First of all, applicants will need to pay P13,250 after they pass the pre-screening requirements.
The total program will cost about P5 million. Cebu Pacific has tapped Bank of the Philippine Islands, which offers loan packages to offset the training costs.
The first phase of the application period will run from June 7 to 13, 2024.
How many applicants?
Cebu Pacific is looking at 16-20 cadet pilots in 2-3 batches for each year.
Over the five-year contract, it aims to deploy 240-300 cadet pilots via Airworks.
A few more things
The program is open to all Filipino passport holders of any age who graduated from any four-year course.
Trainees will also sign an agreement to work for 10 years of continuous service with Cebu Pacific starting from the first productive flight.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
