Cebu Pacific (CEB) officially opened a dedicated training facility for pilots and cabin crew on April 27, 2026, marking what the airline calls a long-term investment in the Philippine aviation industry.
The Cebu Pacific Training Academy is a 1,685 square meter facility and is one of the first centralized, purpose-built aviation training centers of its kind in the country.
What the facility offers
The academy is equipped with Airbus A330 and ATR door trainers, cabin mock-ups, slide trainers, classrooms, and equipment rooms. The setup allows trainees to go through scenario-based and hands-on instruction under the guidance of the airline’s in-house instructors.
A maintenance learning center is also part of the complex, along with plans to add a ground equipment simulator.
CEB Chairman Lance Gokongwei, Chief Operations Officer Javier Massot, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Ret. Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario led the ribbon cutting.
A facility years in the making
Massot said the academy took three years to go from concept to completion. For a long time, he explained, the airline had to rely on shared facilities or partner equipment for training. He felt it was time for the country’s largest carrier to have its own space.
“This is a facility we can showcase globally, a place designed to make every cabin crew member, every mechanic, and every ground professional who passes through feel incredibly proud to be part of this airline,” Massot said.
He described the academy as a reflection of the airline’s broader commitment to the Philippines and its aviation sector.
“This facility allows us to stay grounded in what truly matters: operational readiness, service consistency, and nation building,” he added. “We also seek to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of aviation training standards in the Philippines and to help raise a generation of more capable and future-ready aviation professionals.”
Building a pipeline of talent
The academy supports Cebu Pacific’s broader efforts to develop homegrown aviation professionals.
The airline revived its Cadet Pilot Program in 2024 in partnership with Airworks Aviation, a flight training school based in Cebu. The program offers structured mentorship and a direct pathway to employment with the airline. As of April 2026, it has produced its second batch of pilot graduates.
Cebu Pacific has also been holding cabin crew recruitment drives across its key hubs to support its expanding operations.
Massot emphasized the importance of tapping local talent, noting that the Philippines has long been a source of skilled professionals for the global aviation community. Having top-tier training facilities at home, he said, ensures the airline has access to qualified people without having to look elsewhere.
Airline confident despite global headwinds
CEB CEO Mike Szucs addressed the current operating environment with a confident tone.
He acknowledged the challenges facing the industry but said the airline is well positioned to weather them.
“We’re a very solid airline coming off very strong financial results. We’ve got a lot of financial resilience,” Szucs said. He pointed to the company’s experience navigating the pandemic without external assistance as proof of its ability to manage through difficult periods.
“In many ways, this is just another one of those situations that we expect to get through,” he added. “We have to keep our eye on the end game. The end game is, there’s a great future for the Philippines, and a great future for Cebu Pacific.”
Cebu Pacific currently operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines, serving 35 local and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
