(PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES) Philippine Airlines has sent its first batch of 14 cadet pilots to Australia for advanced training at Airways Aviation, marking the formal relaunch of the PAL Aviation School and a renewed push to grow the flag carrier’s cockpit ranks. The group, known as AO Class 2025 Alpha, departed in late September 2025 for the Gold Coast campus after completing initial coursework in the Philippines.
The move ties training to PAL’s multi-year fleet expansion and responds to ongoing global pilot shortages that have pressured airlines across Asia and beyond. Airline leaders framed the partnership with Airways Aviation as a long-term investment in safety, quality, and operational growth.
Send-off and program overview
The send-off ceremony on September 28, 2025, held at the Lucio K. Tan, Jr. Center in Pasay City, gathered PAL executives, instructors, and the families of the trainees. PAL emphasized that cadets start with foundational academics and simulator time in the Philippines, then shift to Australia for advanced, internationally aligned flight instruction using modern aircraft, standardized procedures, and safety-focused, competency-based methods.
Key program facts:
– Duration: about 18 months
– Cost: approximately ₱4.5 million, inclusive of training, meals, and lodging
– Phases: foundational academics and simulator training in the Philippines; advanced operations, crew resource management, and applied flight scenarios in Australia
The set cost structure offers greater predictability for families during an intense, full-time training period.
Training partnership details
Under the relaunch:
– PAL Aviation School sets academic baselines and aligns course content with airline needs.
– Airways Aviation delivers the advanced phase, including multi-crew and instrument-focused instruction aimed at meeting global benchmarks.
PAL did not disclose exact aircraft types used in training. However, the Australian provider’s campuses are known for:
– standardized fleets,
– high utilization rates, and
– structured safety oversight.
PAL emphasized cadets will train in facilities designed for international students and geared toward producing pilots ready for line operations.
Fleet context and workforce planning
This initiative supports PAL’s fleet and network plans. The carrier expects deliveries of:
– nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft from 2025 to 2028 (starting by year-end 2025), and
– 13 Airbus A321neo jets beginning in 2026.
As long-haul and regional networks scale, PAL needs a steady flow of first officers who can progress to captain over time. The cadet pipeline therefore functions as both a training project and a workforce plan tied to schedules, new routes, and sustained reliability.
Historical perspective and relaunch model
Historically, the PAL Aviation School, established in the early 1960s, trained more than a thousand pilots. The 2025 relaunch updates that legacy with a dual-location model and a partner experienced with international cohorts.
PAL leaders say the structure:
– keeps standards high,
– exposes trainees to diverse airspace rules, and
– develops multicultural crew skills—important for a carrier with regional and long-haul ambitions.
As of October 8, 2025, the first cohort is in Australia at the Airways Aviation Gold Coast campus. PAL expects additional batches to follow, creating a predictable intake aligned with aircraft deliveries and operations planning.
Visa and training logistics
Because cadets complete a substantial training phase in Australia, travel and study arrangements must follow Australian immigration rules. Trainees typically pursue an appropriate study visa, with conditions covering health insurance, work limits, and course attendance.
Important visa notes:
– The Australian Department of Home Affairs outlines requirements for the Student visa (subclass 500), including proof of enrollment, financial capacity, and English language ability where required.
– Official guidance is available at the exact link: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500
While PAL has not disclosed individual visa details, cadets should expect the training provider to issue documents needed for enrollment and compliance. Families often plan ahead for items beyond the ₱4.5 million package, such as overseas student health cover, accommodation, and day-to-day expenses.
Practical visa and pre-departure considerations:
– Submit visa applications early—processing times vary and late applications can cause missed course start dates
– Arrange health insurance and any required medical checks
– Prepare police certificates if required
– Budget for flights, local transport, and personal items not covered by the program
– Coordinate with a point of contact at Airways Aviation for housing and campus orientation
– Establish a family communication plan for high-intensity training periods
The human side and training culture
Beyond paperwork, the emotional and cultural aspects matter. At the Pasay send-off, parents spoke of pride and nerves. Cadets described months of preparation—physics review, simulator practice, and fitness training—before departing for Australia. Instructors stressed discipline: consistent study habits, rest cycles, and precise cockpit procedures. These practices transfer directly into airline operations.
PAL positioned the partnership as a market signal that the carrier is investing in training quality and safety and intends to grow responsibly. The program also deepens ties between the Philippines and Australia by adding an education layer to the bilateral relationship. Training in Australia exposes cadets to:
– busy controlled airspace,
– English-language radio work, and
– high safety expectations.
Those experiences return with trainees to Manila and strengthen operational readiness.
“Training cadets in Australia gives them exposure to busy controlled airspace, English-language radio work, and high safety expectations”—skills that support PAL’s operations and safety goals.
Industry context and strategy
Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes airline-sponsored cadet programs often rebalance pilot supply and demand faster than lateral hiring, especially when fleet growth is planned years ahead. The main challenge is keeping training throughput aligned with delivery schedules and seasonal demand peaks. PAL’s staged batches, paired with an 18-month training cycle, aim to smooth that pipeline.
The global pilot market faces:
– an aging pilot workforce in many markets, and
– growing travel demand.
Airlines have responded with mixed strategies: recruiting experienced pilots, expanding cadet intakes, and introducing retention incentives. PAL’s approach places the PAL Aviation School at the center, with Airways Aviation providing scale and an international environment to produce cockpit-ready graduates for modern fleets.
Pathway for prospective applicants
PAL’s model offers a clear path for candidates:
1. Foundational training in the Philippines for academic grounding and cost control
2. Advanced, internationally aligned training in Australia with standardized procedures
3. A direct link to airline operations once competencies are certified
Requirements and timelines:
– PAL has not announced public application windows for future cohorts in this update.
– Interested candidates should monitor official PAL channels for announcements on medical standards, education background, English proficiency, and other requirements.
Final thoughts and where to get updates
In a sector where safety rests on habits built in training, the stakes are high. The cadet pilots of AO Class 2025 Alpha carry personal ambitions and the expectations of an airline preparing for its next chapter. Their progress through Australia’s structured training environment will influence careers, route reliability, the launch of new services, and passenger trust in the PAL brand.
For official updates on cohort schedules, program details, and future intakes, readers should check PAL announcements and the PAL Aviation School website.
This Article in a Nutshell
Philippine Airlines formally relaunched its PAL Aviation School in 2025 by sending 14 cadet pilots (AO Class 2025 Alpha) to Airways Aviation’s Gold Coast campus for advanced training. Cadets complete foundational academics and simulator work in the Philippines before an 18‑month advanced phase in Australia. The program costs about ₱4.5 million per cadet and emphasizes safety, competency‑based methods, and internationally aligned procedures. PAL ties the relaunch to planned fleet growth—nine A350‑1000s from 2025–2028 and 13 A321neo starting 2026—creating a pipeline of first officers who can develop into captains. Visa, insurance, and predeparture logistics are important for overseas training. PAL plans additional cohorts to match delivery schedules and operational needs, strengthening bilateral education ties with Australia and enhancing pilot readiness for busy airspace and English-language operations.
