Cebu Pacific’s commitment to a gender-inclusive workplace has earned recognition from UN Women Philippines. The airline placed 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 WEPs Awards recognize organizations taking meaningful action to advance gender equality. The awards follow a global framework established by UN Women and the UN Global Compact. They highlight bold actions, innovative initiatives, and measurable results that promote inclusive workplaces.
Cebu Pacific Recognized for Promoting Gender Equality
CEB was the only Philippine airline among this year’s honorees. It received recognition for its efforts to expand opportunities for women across the organization.
Felix Lopez, CEB Chief Human Resources Officer, said the airline wants to change traditional perceptions of careers in aviation.
“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,” said Felix Lopez, CEB Chief Human Resources Officer.
In 2025, women occupied 41% of CEB’s executive positions. This was higher than the industry average of 31%, based on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 25by2025 report.
Cebu Pacific Gender-Inclusive Workplace Initiatives
Beyond increasing women’s representation in leadership, Cebu Pacific invests in their professional development through employee-led programs and industry partnerships.
One initiative is empowHER, an organization under the Juan CEB Community (JCC). It gives women employees opportunities to share experiences, build professional networks, and support one another’s career growth.
CEB also works with industry partners to advance gender equality. In 2023, it became the first airline to join the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE).
The organization advocates workplace gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Through this partnership, Cebu Pacific uses PBCWE’s Gender Equality Assessment, Results and Strategies (GEARS) framework. This helps the airline assess its policies and identify areas that need improvement.
Encouraging More Women to Pursue Aviation Careers
Cebu Pacific also extends its gender-inclusive workplace efforts beyond its employees. The airline encourages more young women to consider careers in aviation.
In October 2025, CEB hosted the Philippine launch of Women in Aviation International – Philippines during Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD).
The event included aircraft tours, hands-on activities, and opportunities for young Filipinas to meet women working in aviation. These included pilots, engineers, mechanics, and cabin crew members.
Through these initiatives, CEB continues to support women’s participation at every stage of their aviation careers. Its efforts contribute to building a more inclusive aviation industry.
CEB currently serves 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
What more can airlines do to encourage women to pursue careers in different areas of aviation?
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