A major new training partnership to deliver a mentored pilot programme with the Cork-based international flight school Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) has been announced by Ryanair.
The airline says the initiative, launched officially by Ireland foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney, will ensure it continues to attract highly-trained professional pilots to support its continued growth across Europe.
The new 16-month intensive training programme gives trainee pilots a structured path to achieve their licences and reach a standard where they are ready to join the Ryanair Boeing B737 type-rating programme.
Those taking part in the programme will be trained by AFTA instructors using Ryanair procedures. Over the next five years, up to 450 new pilots from across Europe will be recruited and trained by AFTA in Cork.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: “Ryanair is pleased to announce this training partnership with AFTA, which has an impressive track record in training top-class pilots to the highest standards.
“It is appropriate it comes as we are also launching our Cork summer 2019 schedule, our biggest yet, with 16 routes including four new services to Budapest, Luton, Malta and Poznan, further cementing our commitment to Cork and the Munster region.”
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