National airline to recruit 450 new pilots

easyJet, which flies from Gatwick Airport, has announced it is looking to bring in more than 450 new recruits.

The positions range from cadet pilots starting their career to experienced co-pilots from other airlines and direct entry captains.

Opportunities will also be available for more than 140 of the airline’s current first officers to be promoted to captains, the company said.

Of the 450 positions, 400 will be cadet pilots and experienced co-pilots and 50 will be direct entry captains.

Harriett Pound, easyJet captain based at Gatwick Airport, said: “Being an airline pilot is an exciting and highly rewarding career as no two days at work are the same.

“At easyJet, we have an excellent training department and the opportunity to progress our careers to become captains much faster than with many other operators.

“I obtained my command within four-and-a-half years of joining from CTC.

“This is an excellent opportunity to work for Europe’s leading airline, flying our very modern fleet of aircraft with the latest technology onboard and an excellent safety record.”

easyJet flies more than 245 aircraft on over 800 routes in 31 countries.

The company said new recruits will be offered positions across all of its 28 European bases and will be provided with high quality training and a range of career development opportunities.

A spokesman said: “For new cadets, undertaking their training with CTC Aviation, CAE or FTE Jerez, many will have the opportunity to apply for all or part of their training loan (between £30,000 to £100,000) underwritten by the airline and some experienced pilots joining from other airlines can also apply for the opportunity to have their type rating loan underwritten.”

Earlier this year easyJet announced the launch of the Amy Johnson Flying Initiative to help encourage more women to train for a career as a commercial airline pilot.

Currently women make up six per cent of easyJet’s new pilot intake, in line with the industry as a whole, and the airline plans to double this to 12 per cent over the next two years, offering to underwrite the full training loan of six female new entrant pilots.

Captain Brian Tyrrell, easyJet’s Head of Flight Operations, said: “We’re really pleased to have opened recruitment for more than 450 new easyJet pilot positions.

“At easyJet, we pride ourselves on having a team of the highest talent and we offer our pilots a clear career path with the opportunity to develop from first officer to captain quicker than at other airlines.

“This is an exciting time to join easyJet as we continue to grow and develop to maintain our position as Europe’s leading airline and I look forward to welcoming the successful applicants in the near future.”

Candidates can apply at https://careers.easyjet.com/pilots/

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