MANILA, Philippines - More than 150 Filipino pilots have been leaving for abroad since 1998 to fly for foreign carriers.
Foreign carriers were choosing Filipino pilots because of their proficiency and skills in handling jet engine aircraft, The STAR learned from Capt. Beda Badiola, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Flight Service Inspectorate chief.
Badiola said Filipino pilots, especially those from Philippine Airlines (PAL) are offered “hard to refuse salary.”
“We are ahead of some Asian countries because Filipinos can speak fluently and understand English,” he said.
However, Badiola said some pilots stay with PAL for loyalty reasons, he added.
A PAL official said Filipino pilots remaining with the airline receive a generous benefits package and they get compulsory simulator training abroad.
Their meals are separated from the cabin crew for security reasons, the official added.