CAE launches cadet pilot training programme with Volotea

CAE has launched a Madrid-based Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) pilot training programme in partnership with European low-cost carrier Volotea.

Under the terms of the agreement, CAE will select, assess and train up to 50 new professional pilots for the airline over the next five years.

This autumn, the first group of Volotea's cadets will complete their EASA theoretical knowledge at CAE's training centre in Madrid, followed by flight training in Phoenix, AZ, USA and Oxford, UK, before returning to Madrid to complete Airbus A320 type-rating training.

Upon successful completion of their training programme, graduates will be employed by the carrier.

“At Volotea, we pride ourselves in delivering an outstanding and safe flight experience. We achieve this level of excellence by hiring and developing highly qualified personnel," commented Carlos Muñoz, Founder and CEO of Volotea. "As we grew over the years, CAE has been an excellent partner, supporting our pilot sourcing and training needs.

“Mentoring a CAE cadet pilot training programme was thus the next logical step," Muñoz continued. "As such, we are delighted to launch this new cadet pilot training programme with our training partner, and we are confident that CAE will train our future pilots in line with our mission."

Nick Leontidis, CAE's Group President of Civil Aviation Training Solutions, said, “The demand for professional pilots in the European continent is on the rise and we are proud to support the creation of Volotea's future captains, building on our training partnership.”

CAE has been Volotea's training partner since the beginning of the airline's operations in 2012. Since then, CAE has been providing the airline with pilot and cabin crew training, including Airbus A319 type-rating and CAE instructor-led recurrent pilot training.

More than 40 graduates from CAE's training academies in Amsterdam, Brussels and Oxford have been selected and recruited by Volotea over the past three years.