Market Intelligence: -Airline Hiring

Cathay Pacific Celebrates The Graduation Of First Group Of Cadet Pilots Since The Pandemic As It Aims To Recruit 800

Cathay Pacific was delighted to celebrate today the graduation of its first group of cadet pilots since the pandemic. Having completed the 55-week Cadet Pilot Training Programme, these 19 graduates will join the airline as Second Officers from July. Currently, there are more than 400 cadet pilots in training.

Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau welcomed Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Lam Sai-hung as the guest of honour at the graduation ceremony at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters. Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Flight Standards) Ms Clara Wong from the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) was also in attendance.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Lam Sai-hung said: “It has all along been the Government’s policy to promote localisation by encouraging local airlines to invest resources in training local cadet pilots. We firmly believe that in the long run, only by enlarging the pool of local aviation talent can we sustain the development of Hong Kong’s aviation industry. In this regard, we very much appreciate Cathay Pacific’s continuous efforts in promoting manpower training, especially in nurturing local aviation talent.”

Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Developing aviation talent has always been at the heart of who we are as Hong Kong’s home carrier. This programme has given us numerous success stories, has helped us cultivate outstanding pilots within the industry, and is a testament to our commitment to develop our future aviation professionals.

“This is our first Cadet Graduation Ceremony since the pandemic and we are excited to be celebrating it with everyone who has been instrumental in helping our cadet pilots reach this milestone in their lives. Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Transport and Logistics Bureau and Civil Aviation Department for their unwavering support.

“Today is made even more special as the month of June coincides with the 35th anniversary of our Cadet Pilot Training Programme. To all our graduating cadet pilots who spent long hours of studying and training to get where they are today – congratulations to all of you and I want to acknowledge all the hard work and determination you have shown in your training, despite the pandemic.”

As of this month, more than 1,000 of Cathay Pacific’s pilots are graduates of the Cadet Pilot Training Programme. These include 185 Captains, of which more than 40 are Training Captains. The airline also has seven management pilots who originated from this programme.

As we rebuild Cathay and the Hong Kong international aviation hub, Cathay Pacific targets to recruit more than 800 cadet pilots in 2023 and 2024 combined, in addition to the approximately 250 cadet pilots recruited in 2022.

Cathay Pacific currently operates two parallel courses for training its cadets. Today’s group of 19 graduates completed their cadet-training activities as part of the airline’s original, long-standing programme hosted by Flight Training Adelaide (FTA).

Cathay Pacific developed its new integrated course to expand the training opportunities for cadet pilots. The first batch of cadets on this integrated programme, developed with Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and more recently its own in-house Cathay Academy, are expected to graduate in August this year. The integrated course sees cadets undertake theoretical ground training in Hong Kong, flight training at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Arizona or FTA in Adelaide, and multi-crew simulator training at Cathay City.

A total of 177 cadet pilots are expected to graduate from both programmes in 2023.

Source: Cathay Pacific
Photo Credit: Cathay Pacific (shown as meta image)

Related Posts

Global Pilot Training Group Skyborne Celebrates Partner Indian Airline Trainees Inaugural Graduation

Skyborne is celebrating the first group of trainees who have successfully graduated, ahead of the IndiGo programme restarting later this year.

The partnership between Skyborne and IndiGo sees trainees undergo 12 months of US FAA 141 commercial pilot training in Vero Beach, Florida; before returning to India to convert their US FAA licence to an Indian DGCA licence and finishing with combined MCC and A320 type rating in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Lee Woodward, CEO of Skyborne says: “It is our privilege to see 77 bright trainees graduate as resilient and highly sought-after Second Officers. We are proud that amidst uncertainty, our promise of quality, through the best education and experience possible, has and will continue to support our graduates in their pathways to becoming successful pilots for India’s leading airline.”

The 18-month programme enables selected trainees to train for a US FAA and Indian DGCA Commercial Pilots Licence and Airbus A320 Type Rating, before advancing into employment and flying the line as a Junior First Officer with IndiGo.

IndiGo’s Captain Ashim Mittra, Senior Vice President – Flight Operations, says: “In India, there is demand for type-rated pilots. Today, through our partnership with Skyborne, we are delighted to meet those demands and grow our pool of well-trained Junior First Officers.”

Kushagra Bisht, recent graduate of the IndiGo programme adds: “I opted for the IndiGo programme with Skyborne due to the academy’s exceptional approach to pilot training, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Throughout my journey, I formed wonderful friendships, secured employment with IndiGo, trained at top-tier facilities, and had the privilege of learning from industry experts. This programme has reinforced my dream of becoming a pilot and I am genuinely thrilled about the prospects that await me in the future.”

Source: Skyborne Press Release
Photo Credit: Skyborne

Related Posts

CAE Forecasts Need to Recruit 1.3 million New Aviation Professionals by 2032 of which 284,000 are Pilots

CAE released at the Paris International Airshow its 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast, which anticipates a global need for 1.3 million new aviation professionals to join the industry as pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians and cabin crew over the next 10 years to support the expected growth of the commercial and business aviation markets.

The comprehensive 10-year study estimates a need for 1.18 million individuals to be recruited and trained for the commercial aviation industry, and 106,000 people for business aviation, to fill vacancies due to retirement and attrition, and the expansion of the aviation industry.

“With a need for 1.3 million people by 2032, CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast is a call to action for the industry to promote careers in aviation to the next generation, reach out to underrepresented communities, and develop innovative support programs to expand the pool of talent needed for the continued growth and safety of our industry,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation. “As commercial aviation nears full recovery and business aviation exceeds pre-pandemic levels, CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast shows that the demand will continue to grow, and the industry will have to come together and find creative ways to ensure a steady pipeline of highly trained personnel for the next 10 years and beyond.”

The Aviation Talent Forecast is a tool for stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem which analyzes the upcoming talent demand for pilots, and for the first time in this report, for aircraft maintenance technicians and cabin crew worldwide. It not only focuses on how many people will be needed in each region over the next decade but also on the reasons for the high demand and what the industry can do to attract talent.

The report also offers insightful perspectives on the industry’s transformation through advanced training, sustainable practices, and diverse talent acquisition. In addition to projecting the demand for aviation professionals, it highlights the role of technology in shaping the industry, the importance of sustainability, and the impact of diversity in filling the talent pipeline.

CAE forecasts the need for the following in the next 10 years:

  • 284,000 Pilots
  • 402,000 Aircraft Maintenance Technicians
  • 599,000 Cabin Crew

The number of commercial pilots needed per region for the next ten years is shown as follows:

  • North America: 63,000
  • South America: 22,000
  • Europe: 44,000
  • Africa: 3,000
  • Middle East: 28,000
  • Asia Pacific: 91,000

Read the 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast.

About CAE

At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, airlines, defence and security forces and healthcare practitioners to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with more than 13,000 employees in approximately 250 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight, mission and medical simulators and training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: CAE Press Release

Related Posts

US Flight School, Thrust Flight, Announces New Partnership with Airline

Thrust Flight announces a partnership with Spirit Airlines that gives Thrust Flight instructors and students the opportunity to progress to a future career with Spirit. The Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program will allow Thrust Flight pilots, who have achieved the requirements for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, to quickly move to Spirit as First Officers flying the carrier’s Airbus A320 Family aircraft.

Thrust Flight CEO Patrick Arnzen said, “The Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway showcases the trust that major airlines place in our training. This partnership will create a pathway to abundant career opportunities, enabling our pilots to embark on a journey with a fast-growing commercial airline. Together, we will empower a new generation of aviators to achieve their dreams.”

By implementing this pathway program, Spirit will have access to a pool of professional pilots who are fully prepared and equipped to join the Spirit team.  Thrust Flight instructors and students from their Zero Time to Airline® program will have the opportunity to apply for the pathway program as soon as they’ve reached 500 hours of total flight time. If successful in Spirit’s interview process, they will receive a conditional offer of employment.

“Thrust Flight is a top-tier flight school, and our new partnership is a great addition to the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program that expands Spirit’s pipeline of professional pilots,” said Ryan Rodosta, Senior Director of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot for Spirit Airlines. “Our continued growth makes this the perfect time to land a career on the flight deck with Spirit, which comes with opportunities to fly new planes, experience new destinations, and enjoy a great quality of life.”

Conveniently located minutes away from Spirit’s Pilot crew base at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Thrust Flight provides excellent pilot training, offering graduates the chance to build valuable connections and advance toward a rewarding career as a Spirit First Officer.

Spirit flies some of the newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry across a network of 90+ destinations in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. More brand-new planes are planned for delivery in 2023, creating opportunities for First Officers to quickly upgrade to Captain. Spirit’s Pilots recently approved a contract that provides a significant pay increase and other enhanced benefits. Spirit also offers its Pilots industry-leading training and great quality of life.

This partnership gives Thrust Flight’s students and instructors another avenue to pursue a successful career in aviation. Thrust Flight’s mission is to be able to provide the best education and career opportunities for the next generation of pilots.

About Thrust Flight

Thrust Flight is a leading flight school with multiple locations in North Texas. Over the course of their 15-year history, they have trained thousands of pilots who have traveled from around the world to train with them. Through their flagship program, Zero Time to Airline®, they fully prepare flight students for a career at the airlines.

Source: Thrust Flight Press Release
Photo Credit: Spirit Airlines (shown as meta image)

Related Posts