EasyJet seeks to attract 1,000 pilots with new recruitment drive
Airline seeks to encourage diversity in the cockpit
Tekef
EasyJet aims to attract more than 1,000 new pilots by 2028 as part of a new recruitment drive.
The budget carrier has re-opened applications for an initial 200 aspiring flight deck crew to join its 2024 training programme.
The ‘Generation EasyJet’ scheme aims to take applicants with little or no experience to the cockpit of an Airbus A320 in around two years as qualified co-pilot.
They need to be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training and have a minimum of five GCSEs of grade C or above or equivalent, including mathematics, science and English language – no higher qualifications or degrees are required.
Training takes place with the airline’s training partner CAE at its aviation academy locations in Gatwick, Milan, Brussels or Madrid, with flight training taking place in the US.
The airline continues to focus on attracting more women to become pilots.
As a result, 7.5% of EasyJet pilots in the UK are female compared to the industry average of 6.5%, with around 300 women including 99 captains now flying for the airline.
Pilot training manager Kate West said: “We are delighted to reopen applications for this year’s Generation EasyJet pilot training programme as part of our drive to recruit 1,000 new pilots and encourage more people to join this fantastic profession.
“The training to become a pilot focuses on skills such as communication and problem solving, so when working as a team in the flight deck, diversity is incredibly valuable.
“Tackling stereotypes about our job is critical to driving this and while we are proud to have many more women flying with us today, we know there is always more to be done to increase all forms of diversity and remain committed to leading the industry in this.
“I joined EasyJet over ten years ago as a growing airline with opportunities for career progression and a fantastic reputation for training.
“This is as true now as it was back then and we look forward to seeing many more new pilots joining EasyJet in this rewarding career in the months and years to come.”
