Two flight training organisations are to help train the next generation of airline pilots for European budget carrier Wizz Air with jobs then “guaranteed”.
Five-year agreements have been struck for courses to start in September to initially train up to 40 cadets a year.
The airline selected CTC Aviation and the Central European Flight Academy to conduct the training following a competitive tendering and evaluation process.
The scheme will enable graduates to join the airline directly as co-pilots flying Airbus A320s after receiving comprehensive training.
“Co-pilots have an excellent career opportunity to progress to the rank of captain, after gaining the necessary years of experience in the airline,” Wizz Air said.
“Graduates will learn and develop skills that are relevant and focused towards the operational needs of Wizz Air to support the significant growth of the airline with high quality co-pilots trained full-time as airline pilots.
“Wizz Air will provide a job guarantee – subject to achieving proficiency – upon successful completion of training, thus assisting the trainees to access the required funding for the programme.
“This guarantee at the outset is rare in the aviation industry and a sign of the airline’s commitment to find the highest quality cadet pilots in the market.”
The carrier’s head of flight operations and chief pilot, David Morgan, said: “Our people are at the heart of Wizz Air and we’re delighted to offer this opportunity to a whole new generation of airline pilots.
“They’ll become part of the Wizz Air family and will enjoy an amazing opportunity to be employed directly as a co-pilot on our fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft with a career potential to become a captain and beyond into management.
“It’s an exciting chapter in our history and we are looking forward to finding our talented flight crew for the future.”