Opening Remarks by Ms Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development, at Women in Aviation International Singapore Chapter Gala Dinner

President of Women in Aviation International Singapore Chapter (WAI-SG) Mabel Kwan,

Parliamentary Colleague Ms. Poh Li San,

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) Director-General Mr Han Kok Juan,

Board Members,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

Celebrating WAI-SG

1.           Thank you for inviting me to join your Gala Dinner.

2.           This year, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of WAI-SG, representing five years of tremendous work to promote, champion, and advance women across our aviation sector. It is my privilege to be part of this milestone.

3.           In just five years, WAI-SG has:

a.           Grown to over 100 members, comprising pilots, engineers, air traffic control officers, and more;

b.           Supported over 130 mentees, some of whom have returned as mentors; and

c.           Conducted over 20 outreach events, reaching more than 5,000 participants.

4.           This evening, we will also witness the signing of two new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Singapore Flying College and Bombardier, on top of the five that WAI-SG has already established.

5.           This solid foundation does not simply build itself. I would like to acknowledge Lou-Ann Seet, who stepped down in May after over two years as President. Under the leadership of Lou-Ann, as well as your first President Marie Louise Philippe, WAI-SG has grown into an indispensable partner within our aviation community. Please join me in expressing our appreciation to the two ladies.

6.           I also want to thank President Mabel Kwan for stepping into the role this year. She brings a wealth of experience from her involvement in outreach events and partnerships, and I am certain she will lead WAI-SG to deliver impactful programmes and grow our aviation talent.

Navigating Uncertain Times

7.           We all know Singapore’s air hub is a crucial pillar of our economy and a source of national pride. Last year, Changi handled about 70 million passengers and more than two million tonnes of air cargo. By 2040, global air travel demand is expected to double, with Asia-Pacific accounting for two-thirds of passenger growth.

8.           However, our global environment is uncertain. We are encountering frequent disruptions, with states closing off large swathes of international airspace and waterways. Domestically, we face an ageing workforce, heightened competition, and manpower shortages in various aviation fields.

Strengthening Our Workforce

9.           It is therefore important to develop, leverage and retain our aviation talent. On the Government’s part, we are strengthening our aviation workforce as a whole. At this year’s Ministry of Transport Committee of Supply debate, I announced three new workforce initiatives that CAAS would drive with tripartite partners. All three have since commenced, supported by the $200 million OneAviation Manpower Fund.

a.           First, CAAS is working with institutes of higher learning and industry partners to integrate professional training into undergraduate education, to better prepare graduates for the workforce.

b.           Second, CAAS launched the sector-wide OneAviation Early Careers Mentorship Programme, in partnership with the NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster, unions, and aviation employers such as SATS and SIA Engineering Company.

c.           Third, tripartite partners are reviewing the workplace environment and amenities for workers at Changi Airport’s airside and the Changi Airfreight Centre, whose jobs are essential to keep our air hub going.

10.        We are leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to transform work and uplift jobs. In January, I flagged off the first of Changi Airport’s autonomous vehicles for baggage towing and was pleased to observe many young women in the technology and operations teams driving this effort. Indeed, workforce and industry transformation go hand-in-hand to create meaningful and lasting change.

11.        CAAS Director of Aviation Industry Angela Ng is one of the leads driving these initiatives. I encourage you to join her in conceptualising, designing and implementing solutions to support our aviation workforce.

Importance of Women in Aviation

12.        Looking around this room, there is no doubt that women can undertake the same responsibilities as men in aviation – whether as pilots, aerospace and maintenance engineers, flight dispatchers, or any other role. We also need a diverse aviation workforce to tackle complex issues, spur innovation and address industry demands.

13.        Today, women remain underrepresented especially in technical and management roles. But we are gradually getting there. In the last five years, SIA has grown its female pilot workforce by 25%. Scoot has increased the number of women in senior leadership positions by 25%. Within this room, we have women such as Lee Hui Fung, Senior Vice President of Continuous Improvement and Strategic Projects for Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering; and Li Xin, Head of Business Unit at DJI, and formerly Chief Engineer at NTU specialising in aerospace research and development. Both hold leadership positions in aviation-related fields that were previously male-dominated.

14.        We will continue working towards:

a.           More visibility and representation across different careers, to provide role models for young girls to emulate and see possibilities;

b.           More mentorship for women in male-dominated career fields, to help new entrants find their bearings and network in the sector; and

c.           More flexibility in career structure and working environments, to help women better manage work and ultimately other responsibilities so that they have appropriate work-life balance.

15.        Ultimately, we need to provide comprehensive support to attract, grow and retain our female talent. This is where WAI-SG comes in.

Supporting Women in Aviation

16.        To attract talent, WAI-SG has strengthened the pipeline of women considering the sector. Your recent Careers in Aviation Day in June brought together 2,200 participants, a seven-fold increase from 2025, to meet with aviation agencies and industry players. Your Girls in Aviation Day last November was also the largest yet with 800 participants, and I know we are all looking forward to this year’s edition too. The Government strongly believes in your work. Under the CAAS and WAI-SG MOU, CAAS began a two-year support grant in 2025 to amplify the outreach and scale of WAI-SG’s activities. The support grant has helped WAI-SG expand its events and conduct exploration days at aviation companies, and will be used to establish a WAI-SG Youth Wing next year.

17.        To grow talent, WAI-SG has invested in the development of women new to the sector. The WAI-SG scholarship has supported three female students in their undergraduate aviation-related degrees thus far. This year, WAI-SG also launched the Endeavour Scholarship in conjunction with Kallman Worldwide, giving ten aspiring female students the chance to receive their first flight experience at certified flying schools, and opening doors to mentorship, career events and learning opportunities with WAI-SG.

18.        WAI-SG also provides structured mentorship, through the Professional Development Programme which has already matched its fourth batch of mentees with mentors across the aviation industry. Previous mentees have returned to contribute to WAI-SG’s efforts, including Jessie Koh, who now leads the WAI-SG Outreach Committee and helped to organise this year’s Careers in Aviation Day and the Endeavour Scholarships.

19.        WAI-SG also introduced the Technical Aspiring Pilots Programme this year as part of its mentorship offerings, focusing on technical knowledge and lifestyle considerations for a flying career.

20.        To retain talent, WAI-SG supports lifelong development and growth for seasoned aviation professionals. This year, WAI-SG collaborated with the Singapore Aviation Academy on a four-part webinar series covering aviation topics. Over 100 attendees from over 30 countries participated in each of the two completed webinars. As you can see, WAI SG has done a lot in five years for a five-year-old.

Closing

21.        To end off, I want to thank everyone here this evening who has contributed to WAI-SG’s efforts and achievements. I also wish Mabel and her team the very best as they carry this work forward.

22.        To all the women here, Singapore's aviation sector is entering its next bound of growth. You will not be passengers on that journey. You will be on the flight deck, with your hands on the controls. Our future will be bolder, more inclusive, and much stronger – because of all of you.

23.        Thank you!