Member Article

easyJet to spread its wings with recruitment of 450 new pilots

easyJet has announced that it will recruit more than 450 new pilots across its 28 European bases

Positions available range from Cadet pilots starting their career, experienced co-pilots from other airlines to Direct Entry Captains and as well as introducing new talent to easyJet, opportunities will also be available for more than 140 of the airline’s current First Officers to be promoted to Captains.

Of the 450 positions, 400 will be Cadet pilots and experienced co-pilots and 50 Direct Entry Captains.

Earlier this year easyJet also 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. The airline plans to double this to 12 per cent over the next two years and will offer to underwrite the full training loan of six female new entrant pilots.

Lesley Hopker, easyJet Senior First Officer based at Newcastle International Airport, commented: “For me, working as a pilot is a truly unique career. The opportunities it presents are numerous, the days are exciting, rewarding, sometimes challenging and always enjoyable. It is safe to say that no two days are ever the same.

“There is great support for you to take your command or to get into a training role as either a Captain or a First Officer, if that is the direction you want your career to take. The opportunities are all there for you, all you have to do is put in the hard work.”

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.”

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