Aviation is booming In South-East Asia, and the ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) business model is getting more popular. How does it differ from traditional carriers? And what is it like to work for an “airline for airlines”? Sharing her insights is Phoebe Gift Odulio, a Senior Reliability Engineer at Avion Express, an Avia Solutions Group company.
Aviation careers are never boring. And yet, there’s a difference between working for a local and a global company. In fact, a survey by The Network spanning 188 countries and 150,000+ respondents reveals a strong and enduring appeal for international mobility and global employers. And what motivates people most are opportunities for development, exposure to diverse cultures, and better career prospects.
It is exactly these qualities that motivated Phoebe Gift Odulio, whose journey into the field is similar to that of many other Filipino aviation professionals. She first wanted to study psychology, but after talking to her aunt, who taught at an aviation school, she changed her mind.
“Do you want a bright future? Then why not become an engineer? I can still hear my aunt’s voice asking me those questions. So I did enroll in Aeronautical Engineering, and although at first I was overwhelmed with all the Math and Physics I had to learn, I learned to love the courses. I even taught at my school for a stint, before joining Cebu Pacific as a Reliability Engineer,” Phoebe shares.
When the pandemic hit, Phoebe found herself at home, and she was looking for a change. Some of her university friends got accepted into one of Avia Solutions Group’s airlines.
“I quickly found myself browsing the career page of Avia Solutions Group, which owns Avion Express and many other ACMI airlines – in Europe, Asia, Australia, and even South America,” Phoebe explains.
Long story short, she got a job at Avion Express, where she has been working there for the last 2.5 years. And while her job took her to Europe, there are now plenty of opportunities for Aviation Engineers to work on Avion Express and broader Avia Solutions Group projects without leaving the Philippines.
Having opened in February 2025, in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the Avia Solutions Group Global Services Philippines is providing support to a range of ACMI and MRO companies belonging to the group. For local aviation professionals, according to Phoebe, this can be a stepping stone to a truly global career.
“The ACMI model is still rather new in the region, so it’s a unique opportunity for aviation professionals to learn and grow. You’ll definitely learn new things, especially in technical roles. Most importantly, you’ll learn to consider different customers, because in ACMI, our customers are airlines from all around the world, each with specific requirements and needs,” says Phoebe.
As a Senior Reliability Engineer at Avion Express, Phoebe is now responsible for the prevention of operational interruptions, including Aircraft on Ground situations. However, it’s not just the nature of the work but also the culture that she appreciates:
“The work culture here is very good and supportive. That’s important because most of your time is spent at work. The team is friendly, young, fresh, and diverse. And I get to work with people from different backgrounds, different departments, and different companies within the group, making my day-to-day truly global.”
Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Currently, there are openings at the Avia Solutions Group Global Services Philippines for CAMO Engineers at different levels of seniority. You can learn more about the positions here: Avia Solutions Group Global Services Philippines
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