Diversity Drive! easyJet Launches Search For 1000 Pilots

A parent, a former gymnast and DJ are the stars of a new easyJet recruitment campaign, encouraging people from all walks of life to train to become an airline pilot.

For the first time since the pandemic, easyJet is re-opening its pilot training programme. To support future growth opportunities, the airline is recruiting over 1000 new pilots over the next five years.

The new ad campaign, featuring multi-talented, real-life easyJet pilots, aims to highlight that everyone has the potential to turn their skills and passions towards becoming an airline pilot.

Mother of two, Captain Iris de Kan, is seen in one of the ads with five-year-old daughter Kiki. The ad serves to communicate that those with incredible multi-tasking skills could make for excellent pilots. While many parents wish they had eyes in the back of their head, it’s a common misconception that 2020 vision is required to become an airline pilot.

“It’s important that girls have visible role models so we can combat job stereotypes and show that anyone with the motivation and passion can turn their skills to being an airline pilot," said Captain Iris de Kan said. "I love the responsibility and challenge that comes with my job – but it’s not as challenging as juggling the demands of a five-year old and a little baby at home!”

easyJet Senior First Officer Aaron Moseley, a former resident DJ, transitioned from the club decks to the flight deck by training to become a pilot for easyJet seven years ago. His hands-on practical skills have enabled him to switch records for runways.

“I'm really proud to be a black man who is also a role model for the next generation," Moseley said. "Growing up, I never had the chance to see or know a black airline pilot. I'm proud to be able to go into schools to talk to young people and show that you can develop skills through all kinds of experiences like music and sport that they can channel into becoming a pilot, and have the opportunities to achieve their dreams too.”

The new recruitment ad campaign is part of easyJet’s efforts to find the next generation of easyJet pilots, with a continued focus on encouraging more women to become an airline pilot to address the gender imbalance in the industry.

Since the launch of the airline’s Amy Johnson Initiative in 2015, easyJet has almost doubled the number of female pilots in its ranks. Like many industries, the impact of the pandemic meant that the airline had to pause bringing new recruits onboard.

But now aiming to be back to near pre-pandemic levels this summer and much sooner than industry predictions suggested, easyJet has reopened its pilot training programme to bring 1000 new pilots onboard over the next five years. This will provide an opportunity to encourage even more women to consider the career and join the airline over the coming years. Many newly qualified female pilots are also now set to join the airline in coming months, with flying set to ramp up for the summer and beyond.

The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme takes aspiring pilots from little to no flying experience, to operating a commercial passenger jet in around two years with its intensive, industry-leading training course.