EasyJet is reopening its pilot training programme for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as it seeks to recruit more than 1,000 new pilots over the next five years.
The drive is being supported by a new advertising push on social media across the UK and Europe featuring real-life easyJet pilots.
They include a mother of two, a former gymnast and ex-DJ.
The new recruitment campaign is part of the budget carrier’s efforts to find the next generation of pilots, with a continued focus on encouraging more women to consider a career in the cockpit to address the gender imbalance in the industry.
Many newly qualified female pilots are also set to join the airline in coming months, with flying set to ramp up for the summer and beyond.
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, including mathematics, science and English language – no higher qualifications or degrees are required.
The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme takes aspiring pilots from little to no flying experience, to operating a commercial passenger aircraft in around two years with its intensive training course.
Chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “We are delighted to be reopening our pilot training programme again for the first time since the pandemic hit and will see us recruit over 1,000 new pilots in the coming years.
“EasyJet has long championed greater diversity in the flight deck and this series of ads aims to highlight the extraordinary breadth of skills our pilots have and show that pilots can be found in all walks of life, in a bid to attract more diverse candidates.
“We continue to focus on challenging gendered stereotypes of the career having doubled the number of female pilots flying with us in recent years.
“We also acknowledge that whilst we have made progress, there is still work to do. Increasing diversity in all of its forms in the flight deck is a long-term focus for easyJet and so we will continue to ensure we lead the industry on this issue.”