A cohort of easyJet pilots will join Virgin Atlantic this winter to begin training on its fleet of long-haul A350 aircraft.
They will spend around three years with Virgin, returning to easyJet at the end of the placement.
However, an easyJet spokesperson said the exchange programme isn’t because the airline is preparing to launch long-haul routes of its own with ready-trained pilots.
“It’s purely so that pilots can experience operations on a different aircraft type and further their flight deck experience,” they added.
EasyJet pilots will experience more than 1,500 flying hours co-piloting wide-body A350s, while Virgin will benefit from easyJet pilots from across Europe joining its team.
EasyJet Director of Flight Operations Captain Bart Prudon said: “At easyJet we pride ourselves on the calibre of our pilots, our industry-leading training and commitment to career development and so we are delighted to have partnered with Virgin Atlantic to further enhance the opportunities flying with easyJet can offer.
“Operating a different aircraft type is a fantastic experience for any pilot and this partnership will not only offer global long-haul flying with the added security of returning to easyJet to continue a fantastic career flying modern aircraft across Europe, we know that our highly-skilled pilots will add great value to the Virgin Atlantic team.”
Virgin VP Flight Operations Robbert Strating said: “EasyJet’s extensive basing network will allow us to attract pilots from across Europe, reaching new audiences.
“With our purpose to inspire everyone to take on the world, we’re pleased to play a pivotal role developing their flying careers and enhancing the skills of the next generation of pilots and supporting UK aviation.”
EasyJet is recruiting more than 1,000 new pilots as part of a five-year programme which began in 2022.
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They will spend around three years with Virgin, returning to easyJet at the end of the placement.
However, an easyJet spokesperson said the exchange programme isn’t because the airline is preparing to launch long-haul routes of its own with ready-trained pilots.
“It’s purely so that pilots can experience operations on a different aircraft type and further their flight deck experience,” they added.
EasyJet pilots will experience more than 1,500 flying hours co-piloting wide-body A350s, while Virgin will benefit from easyJet pilots from across Europe joining its team.
EasyJet Director of Flight Operations Captain Bart Prudon said: “At easyJet we pride ourselves on the calibre of our pilots, our industry-leading training and commitment to career development and so we are delighted to have partnered with Virgin Atlantic to further enhance the opportunities flying with easyJet can offer.
“Operating a different aircraft type is a fantastic experience for any pilot and this partnership will not only offer global long-haul flying with the added security of returning to easyJet to continue a fantastic career flying modern aircraft across Europe, we know that our highly-skilled pilots will add great value to the Virgin Atlantic team.”
Virgin VP Flight Operations Robbert Strating said: “EasyJet’s extensive basing network will allow us to attract pilots from across Europe, reaching new audiences.
“With our purpose to inspire everyone to take on the world, we’re pleased to play a pivotal role developing their flying careers and enhancing the skills of the next generation of pilots and supporting UK aviation.”
EasyJet is recruiting more than 1,000 new pilots as part of a five-year programme which began in 2022.
The post EasyJet says it’s not planning long-haul routes despite pilots training with Virgin appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
