First Batch of Hong Kong Pilot Training Organisation Cadets Joins LCC Flight Deck in November 2025

Hong Kong – HK Express has officially welcomed the first eleven graduates from the Cadet Pilot Programme conducted by the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA), appointing them as Second Officers in a ceremonial event that highlights the carrier’s ongoing commitment to nurturing local aviation talent.

• HK Express is the first airline to hire graduates from this programme, reinforcing its strategic partnership with HKIAA.

• The airline, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group, continues to expand and is expected to recruit further cadets in upcoming intakes.

The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) highlights its 14‑month Cadet Pilot Programme, offering a structured pathway toward earning a Hong Kong Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and potential airline employment.

• Application fee: HKD 2,000 (includes Pilot Aptitude Test)

• Programme fee: HKD 850,000 (payable in instalments)

• Training roadmap:

  • Around six months of Theoretical Knowledge Instruction (TKI) in Hong Kong.

  • Approximately eight to ten months of flight training overseas (initially in California, US).

  • Final two‑week Multi‑Crew Cooperation (MCC) course back in Hong Kong alongside local airline partner Hong Kong Airlines.

• Partner airlines: Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and Greater Bay Airlines will provide preliminary job interviews and potential conditional second‑officer offers to graduates.

• Additional pathway: In May 2025 HKIAA signed a framework agreement with Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) to provide flying‑training options in Mainland China, enhancing flexibility and cross‑border recognition.

Source: HK Express