A Tui Airlines pilot is leading efforts to encourage more women to join the aviation industry.
The call from Amy Bannister to mark this International Women’s Day comes as Tui launches a multi-crew pilot licence cadet programme in the UK.
The carrier is offering 30 places a year to train pilots with no upfront costs – claimed to be the only scheme of its kind in the UK.
Bannister, who has been a pilot for more than eight years, has since taken on a leadership role with Tui Airlines as a theoretical knowledge instructor, training both pilots and cabin crew.
She grew up around the aviation industry with her father a pilot and her mother working as cabin crew.
Bannister said: “Although only 5% of pilots may be women now, the tide seems to be changing and it’s not unusual to have an all-female crew.
“More and more women are joining the industry, as it’s such a fantastic job to have – industry-wide we are treated as equals, and I am proud to work for a company that focuses on my role not my gender.
“No two days at work are the same, and the destinations change from summer to winter which provides a good mix. Being a pilot challenges you every day, while you get to meet new people – and have one of the best office views in the world.”
Tui Airways director Malcolm Sutherland said: “We know that for our customers, their holiday begins the moment they arrive at the airport and step foot on the plane into the safe hands of our pilots.
“Pilots play such a pivotal role and we want to attract the best and the brightest who are passionate and committed to going the extra smile for our customers.
“Tui Airways has an ‘Inspiring the Next Generation’ project where our pilots go into schools to talk to children about the career and encourage more females to consider a career as a pilot.
“To remove barriers to training to become a pilot, we’ve also recently launched our multi-crew pilot licence cadet programme in the UK which trains pilots over an 18-month period.
“This programme is one of a kind, as it’s the only scheme in the UK offering 30 places a year to train pilots without any upfront cost.
“Training commences with ground school, followed by basic flying training and then the advanced flying training phases. After this, trainees gain a broader understanding of our business before commencing operational line training on the 737.”