Middle East Airlines Opens 2026 Cadet Pilot Applications with FTEJerez

Lebanon & Spain – Lebanese flag carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) has opened applications for its Cadet Pilot Training Program in collaboration with Spanish flight training provider FTEJerez. The recruitment initiative invites Lebanese nationals to apply for training toward First Officer positions with the airline, continuing a pilot development partnership established in 2005.

• FTEJerez has provided pilot training for Middle East Airlines for more than 20 years. The Spanish academy reported that more than 200 MEA pilots had completed training at its facilities by September 2023.
• Applications are being accepted through FTEJerez's dedicated online selection portal. Candidates must hold Lebanese nationality, demonstrate proficiency in Arabic and English, and provide information on their educational qualifications, medical history and previous flying experience, where applicable.
• Applicants are required to provide details of their Lebanese Baccalaureate or equivalent qualifications, university education and any existing Commercial Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating or Multi-Engine qualification. The application process also limits candidates to one repeat attempt following previous participation in the program's written examinations.
• AFM previously reported that MEA opened applications for its cadet program in October 2025, outlining a training pathway involving approximately 66 weeks of ab-initio instruction, followed by an estimated eight-week aircraft type rating phase. The previously published pathway included EASA pilot licensing qualifications, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine training, Multi-Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation training.

About Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines – Air Liban is Lebanon's national airline, headquartered in Beirut and operating passenger services across the Middle East, Europe and Africa. The carrier operates Airbus A320, A321neo and A330 aircraft and is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance.

About FTEJerez
FTEJerez (Flight Training Europe) is an aviation training organisation based at Jerez Airport in southern Spain, providing integrated and modular professional pilot training, airline cadet programs and air traffic control training. Its training fleet comprises 44 aircraft, including 20 Piper Warriors, 13 Piper Archers, nine Diamond DA42s, one Robin R2160 and one Citabria, supported by Boeing 737-800, Airbus A320 and Diamond DA42 simulation equipment.

Source: Middle East Airlines / FTEJerez