BALPA hails easyJet training move

A call for airlines and the government to do more to help to ease the pilot shortage was made last week by the pilots’ union, BALPA, as it welcomed an easyJet initiative to help with training costs.

The move puts ambitious fliers struggling because of financial constraints to enter the profession in line for a helping hand from the carrier. BALPA has previously criticised the high costs of training, saying it limits the pool of talent.

The union notes pilot training costs can reach an “eye-watering” £100,000, and then up to an extra £30,000 for a type-rating, or training on a specific aircraft, once a person has qualified.

The new easyJet initiative aims to support up to 20 newly-qualified pilots by putting up £8,700 towards the type-rating cost.

BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton said: “The only thing that should matter in becoming a pilot is ability, not gender, background or financial circumstances, but all too often we’re seeing only those with the deepest pockets having the means to enter the profession.

“This is a small start by easyJet but a very welcome one; now we’d like to see other airlines and the government doing more to support talented people into the profession.”

www.balpa.org

www.easyjet.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Graham Stephenson, UK

I am a parent who has spent well over £100,000 on training for my son. What was the most galling was having to pay VAT on the training. There are no such costs when training for other professional qualifications such as a doctor or a lawyer