European low-cost carrier easyJet is on the hunt for more pilots- the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Today, the airline is launching a recruitment campaign to encourage people "from all walks of life" to consider a career as an airline pilot. Let's take a look at this strategy and what the airline has to offer.

“It’s important that girls have visible role models so we can combat job stereotypes and show that anyone with the motivation and passion can turn their skills to being an airline pilot.” -Captain Iris de Kan, easyJet Pilot

Pilots with a variety of backgrounds

Seeing overall industry recovery, and re-opening its pilot training program for the first time since the global health crisis, easyJet is looking to recruit more than 1000 new pilots over the next five years, from 2024 onwards.

The main spin that easyJet is putting on its new pilot recruiting campaign is that airline pilots can come from anywhere. With this key message, the airline is featuring three of its pilots: A parent, a former gymnast, and a DJ. In featuring these three aviators, the goal is to highlight that "everyone has the potential to turn their skills and passions towards becoming an airline pilot."

The three pilots featured are as follows:

  • Captain Iris de Kan: A mother of two.
  • Senior First Officer Nina Le: A former gymnast.
  • And Senior First Officer Aaron Moseley: A former resident DJ.

The airline also notes that it's hoping to recruit the next generation of pilots through its pilot school visits program. Over the last five years, easyJet pilots have visited over 500 schools, colleges, and youth groups.

Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme,
Aaron Moseley was a DJ before switching to his career in aviation. Photo: easyJet

An emphasis on recruiting women

The airline's recruiting will have "a continued focus on encouraging more women to become an airline pilot." This, it says, is being done to address the gender imbalance in the industry.

easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren notes that his airline has "long championed greater diversity in the flight deck." The airline chief wants to continue challenging gendered stereotypes of aviation and notes that easyJet has doubled its female pilot contingent 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."

Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme,
Senior First Officer Nina Le has had a career in aviation for over 10 years now. Photo: easyJet

Interested?

For those who are intrigued and might be considering pilot school, the airline notes the following requirements when applying to the Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme:

  • Candidates must be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training
  • Have a minimum of 5 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) of Grade C or above (or equivalent), including Mathematics, Science, and English language
  • At the same time, 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 jet in around two years with its intensive, industry-leading training course." -easyJet

FlightDeckFriend.com notes that pilot salaries at easyJet are (or were) as follows:
  • First Officer: £54k – £58k gross per annum
  • Senior First Officer: £66k – £75k gross per annum
  • Captain: £114k – £146k gross per annum
Unfortunately, the website doesn't specify when these figures were published. On the other side of the Atlantic, United Airlines is recruiting and training the next generation of airline pilots with its Aviate Academy. The first class in this program began roughly two months ago. What do you think of the relatively low barrier to enrolling in easyJet's pilot training program? Is this something that you might be considering for yourself? Let us know by leaving a comment!