European Flag Carrier Opens 2026 Cadet Pilot Scholarship Applications

Greece – flag carrier AEGEAN Airlines has launched the next phase of its multi-year Pilot Scholarship Program, offering up to 40 scholarships for aspiring pilots in 2026. The program provides a fully funded path to a commercial pilot license and first officer role at AEGEAN or Olympic Air, with training delivered by partner schools Egnatia Aviation and Global Aviation SA.

• AEGEAN will award up to 40 pilot scholarships in 2026, with similar intakes planned for 2027 and 2028, totaling up to 120 recipients over three years.

• Applications are open until December 21, 2025. Successful candidates will begin training on March 2, 2026.

• The full-time program runs for 18 to 20 months and includes theoretical instruction, flight training, and simulator sessions.

• Training is conducted at Global Aviation Academy (Athens) and Egnatia Aviation Academy (Kavala).

• Since its 2018 launch, the program has supported over 240 cadets in earning their commercial pilot licenses.

• The initiative is limited to Greek and Cypriot nationals and aims to develop future first officers for AEGEAN and Olympic Air.

Eligibility Criteria

• They must be Greek or Cypriot citizens.

• They must be born after January 1st, 1997.

• They must hold a high school diploma.

• They must have excellent knowledge of the Greek and English language. Verification of the English language level will be completed during the assessment process.

• Male candidates must have fulfilled their military obligations or complete them by February 28th, 2026. It is explicitly stated that candidates who have received a deferment from military service will not be accepted.

Source: AEGEAN Airlines