Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith talks the French travel market, industry challenges, and balancing two brands. with CNN’s Richard Quest on Quest Means Business. “We put in an enormous amount of effort to be ready for this summer, we sold a lot of tickets – we were off to a very good start. We still think we will have a good summer.”
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Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr shares optimism about the future of the airline industry as recession fears loom and a chaotic travel season continues with CNN’s Richard Quest on Quest Means Business. “We are preparing for more growth in ‘23, and for the industry to come back to pre-Covid levels.”
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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby discusses the future of United and the mounting challenges the airline industry faces with CNN’s Richard Quest on Quest Means Business. “United Airlines is going to be the biggest and the best airline in the world. We’re positioned uniquely – our team is doing a great job.”
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Ireland based AFTA (Atlantic Flight Training Academy) was the first flight school partner to work with Ryanair to train and recruit prospective cadets for a ‘Mentored Pilot Programme’, which provides a unique opportunity for aspiring pilots to be trained using Ryanair standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operational philosophy during their training. This programme gives the cadets unique access to endless career opportunities and a fast-tracked recruitment process with Ryanair on successful completion of flight training.
In the last 18 months 100 “AFTA” Graduates have successful passed final assessment with Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 Airline Group, these “AFTA” graduates are now based across Ryanair’s 89 Bases throughout Europe and North Africa. All “AFTA” graduates completed a world class Type Rating and on-aircraft Base Training with Ryanair to qualify on the Boeing 737-800 and 737-8200 aircraft.
AFTA have a proven track record over the past 27 years having trained thousands of pilots who now enjoy key positions such as Training Captains, Fleet Captains, Captains and First Officers with some of the world’s leading airlines and have earned a reputation within the industry for training competent, confident, professional pilots.
Supporting 100 graduates to secure employment in the past 18 months in the light of the pandemic demonstrates AFTA’s commitment to their graduates and Ryanair’s commitment and foresight to continue training the next generation of airline pilots to support the recovery in our industry.
CEO and Head of Training at AFTA Captain Mark Casey commented: “I am delighted to see so many Ryanair Mentored Pilot graduates transitioning to the Boeing 737-800 and 8200 so seamlessly. The continuous support for the cadets from the Ryanair training department, the pilot recruitment team and management leadership throughout the programme has been tremendous. They have been assured and motivated throughout their training during the pandemic that they were correct to “stay the course” with their training. As the industry collapsed during 2020 and 2021, resilience and steadfastness were required to study and focus on the end goal of qualifying as a first officer with Ryanair. They have achieved their ambition and they are now on a career path with Europe’s largest airline group. Well done, we are very proud of each and every one of you.”
Ryanair’s Chief Pilot Captain Aidan Murray said: “Since we restarted hiring for the Pilot Cadet Programme in 2021, we have seen the first Ryanair Mentored Cadets coming through the assessment and Type Rating courses and we are delighted to see that the standard from our Mentored Cadet schools has been extraordinary. We set the bar high in Ryanair and to see 100 AFTA graduates make the grade and join Ryanair in the past 12 months is in itself a testament to the training standards achieved by Captain Mark Casey and the AFTA team. We look forward to continue working with the AFTA team in the future.”
Source: AFTA Press Release
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Epic Flight Academy and Breeze Airways have signed an agreement giving Epic pilots a hiring advantage. Qualified pilots will be invited to interview at 500 hours and secure a spot while building time toward the FAA minimum.
Joel Mitchell, Program Owner, Pilot Development and Pathway at Breeze Airways, said, “Breeze is proud to partner with Epic Flight Academy through our Breeze Embark Program. Upon reaching ATP minimums, Epic pilots will have the opportunity to fly either the Airbus 220 or Embraer 190 for the world’s nicest airline. Epic does a fantastic job developing future aviation professionals. We are thrilled to have their help with our rapidly growing airline. With firm orders for eighty 220s and more E/190195s on the way, Breeze offers an exceptional destination for aviators to fly nice planes to nice places.”
“Breeze is a fast-growing passenger airline with plans to hire an increasing number of pilots over the next few years,” said Tyren Wilson, Business Operations Manager at Epic. “Our pilots are looking forward to meeting with representatives from Breeze. They are excited to make the most of the mentoring program there. We think this is a great partnership that will benefit Epic pilots.”
Breeze Airways launched in 2021 and is based in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. They have focus cities in Charleston, Hartford, New Orleans, Norfolk, Provo, and Tampa. Epic Flight Academy was founded in 1999 and is based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Source: Epic Flight Academy Press Release
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American Airlines CEO Robert Isom announced that its pilots will receive a pay increase. “Our team will be paid well and be paid competitively. You are not going to fall behind network peers,” Isom said in a video message.
According to Isom, a pre-pandemic proposal was made to union of an initial 4 per cent increase followed by an annual increase of 3 percent. However, Isom said “the standard for compensation has gone up” as cited by CNBC.
Isom said American will take other carriers’ agreements into account and update pay proposals when more details are known, per CNBC.
The median annual wage for commercial airline pilots is $99,640 in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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US based Columbia Regional Airport Manager Michael Parks said that the airport is experiencing some setbacks due to the nationwide pilot shortage.
“We’re continuing to see the aircraft fill up,” said Parks. Passenger numbers continue to rise and the airport is expanding with the new passenger boarding bridges for the new terminal but air service growth is unsure when supply of pilots continue to half flights across the country, he said.
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