Low cost airline easyJet reopens applications for its 2024 pilot training programme – no flying experience is necessary and the carrier is keen to recruit more women. Tony McDonough reports
Low cost airline easyJet is looking to recruit and train 1,000 new pilots by 2028 and says no previous flying experience is necessary.
Reopening applications for its 2024 pilot training programme, easyJet says it particularly welcomes applications from women who currently only make up 6% of airline pilots worldwide. It is looking for 200 people to join this year’s programme.
Successful applicants will be put on a two-year intensive pilot training course taking place across Europe with flight training in the US. Aspiring pilots can apply today via becomeapilot.easyjet.com
Generation easyJet Pilot Training programme takes aspiring pilots with little or no experience to the cockpit of an Airbus A320 commercial airliner in around two years as qualified co-pilot.
Currently 7.5% of easyJet’s pilots in the UK are women compared to the UK industry average of 6.5%, with around 300 women including 99 Captains now flying for the airline, which operates more than 25 routes out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Earlier this month the airline launched an online test which assesses some of the key skills required to become an airline pilot, after research revealed that half of Brits (50%) don’t know what qualifications are.
To apply to easyJet’s programme, aspiring pilots 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).
These must include 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.
Captain Kate West, pilot training manager at easyJet, said: “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.
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“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 more than 10 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.”