Airline reopens applications for 2024 Pilot Training Programme

easyJet has announced that it has opened its renowned Generation easyJet Pilot Training programme, which 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.

Over 1000 new pilots are set to join easyJet by 2028 as part of a five-year recruitment drive, with around 200 places now available this year. 

With still only around 6 per cent of pilots worldwide being women, easyJet has been focused on tackling this industry-wide challenge for a number of years through initiatives including recruitment campaigns, its pilot school visits programme and Summer Flight School. 

As a result, 7.5 per cent of easyJet’s pilots in the UK are women compared to the UK industry average of 6.5 per cent, with around 300 women including 99 Captains now flying for the airline, which has continued to work on tackling stereotypes and misconceptions around the job and encouraging more women to apply. 

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 per cent) don’t know what qualifications are needed to become an airline pilot and learn to fly a commercial jet. 

To apply to easyJet’s Pilot Training Programme, aspiring pilots need to be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training and have a minimum of 5 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) 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. On successful completion of training, graduates begin their careers flying as a co-pilot with easyJet.

Captain Kate West, Pilot Training manager at easyJet 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.”

The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme is now open for aspiring pilots to apply at Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme | CAE