No Flying Skills Required! easyJet Kicks Off Pilot Recruitment Drive

easyJet has unveiled its Generation easyJet Pilot Training programme, designed to fast-track aspiring pilots from novice to qualified co-pilot in just two years, bringing them into the cockpit of an Airbus A320 commercial airliner.

In a bid to recruit over 1000 new pilots by 2028, easyJet is kicking off a five-year recruitment campaign, offering approximately 200 pilot training positions for the current year. This initiative follows similar moves by Aer Lingus, TUi, and British Airways, all launching fully funded zero-cost programmes.

With women making up only about 6% of pilots worldwide, easyJet is actively addressing industry-wide gender disparity through focused recruitment campaigns. Presently, 7.5% of easyJet’s UK pilots are women, exceeding the national average of 6.5%. The airline has seen an increase in female pilots, including 99 Captains, by dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the profession.

To widen the talent pool, easyJet introduced an online assessment test evaluating key pilot skills. This aims to address the lack of awareness regarding pilot qualifications among 50% of Brits.

Applicants to the Pilot Training Programme must be at least 18 years old with a minimum of 5 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) grades C or above in Mathematics, Science, and English language. No higher qualifications or degrees are required.

Training, conducted by the airline’s partner CAE, occurs in Gatwick, Milan, Brussels, or Madrid, with flight training in the US. Upon successful completion, graduates commence their careers as co-pilots with easyJet.