Ryanair launches pilot training programme with ATO Sky4U

Ryanair announced a major new training partnership with ATO SKY4u to deliver a Ryanair Airline Pilot Standard (APS MCC) programme in Berlin and Vienna. The partnership will ensure that Ryanair continues to attract highly trained professional pilots to support its continued growth across Europe.

This new EASA approved enhanced MCC programme gives trainee pilots a structured path to achieve an exceptional training course and reach a standard where they are ready to join the Ryanair Boeing 737 Type Rating programme.

Pilots on the programme will be trained by SKY4u instructors, using Ryanair procedures as they take their first steps towards becoming Ryanair pilots. Over the course of the next 4.5 years, up to 450 new pilots from across Europe will be recruited and trained by SKY4u, underlining its respected position in the pilot training market.

Ryanair’s Head of Crew Training Captain, Andy O’Shea said: “This new Ryanair-SKY4u programme will provide the airline with a steady pipeline of talented and professional pilots from around Europe to meet the needs of our growing network. Ryanair will hire up to 1,000 pilots per annum over the course of the next 5 years and our pilots can look forward to unmatched opportunities flying with the world’s number one international airline. We have carefully chosen SKY4u as our German-based APS MCC pilot training partner due to their high standards in APS MCC training. We are pleased to lend our operational expertise to SKY4u, especially in the provision of what will be an outstanding Airline Pilot Standard MCC. This combination will be the best possible preparation for an airline career with Ryanair.”

Ryanair’s Operations Development General Manager, John Dooly said, “With innovative industry partnerships and our unrivalled in-house pilot training, Ryanair is well positioned to meet pilot recruitment and training targets and grow its aircraft fleet to 585 by financial year 2025.”

SKY4u’s Head of Training and CEO, Captain Kay Wachtelborn said: “SKY4u is proud to associate its newest EASA approved training course, the Airline Pilot Standard MCC (APS MCC), programme with Ryanair. Ryanair has a proud history in aviation and we are excited to be a part of the next chapter in their ongoing success story. This is a unique and outstanding opportunity for our students to become commercial airline pilots for the fastest growing airline in Europe. Ryanair has an industry-leading training department with an unrivalled safety record and we are proud to be associated with them. This is a new approach to pilot training and one that we welcome enthusiastically.”