Easyjet is recruiting more than 450 new pilots.

The airline is particularly keen to encourage more women to train for a career as a commercial airline pilot. Currently women make up only six per cent of easyJet’s new pilot intake, in line with the industry as a whole. The airline plans to double this to 12 per cent over the next two years and will offer to underwrite the full training loan of six female new entrant pilots.

The 450 new positions range from cadet pilots starting their career, experienced co-pilots from other airlines to direct entry captains and as well as introducing new talent to easyJet, opportunities will also be available for more than 140 of the airline’s current first officers to be promoted to captains.

Of the 450 positions, 400 will be cadet pilots and experienced co-pilots and 50 direct entry captains.

easyJet now flies more than 245 aircraft on over 800 routes in 31 countries and new recruits will join the airline at an exciting time of continued growth. They will be offered positions across all of easyJet’s 28 European bases and provided access to high quality training and a range of career development opportunities.

For new cadets undertaking their training with CTC Aviation, CAE or FTE Jerez, many will have the opportunity to apply for all or part of their training loan - between £30,000 to £100,000 - underwritten by the airline and some experienced pilots joining from other airlines can also apply for the opportunity to have their type rating loan underwritten.

Earlier this year easyJet also announced the launch of the Amy Johnson Flying Initiative to help encourage more women to train for a career as a commercial airline pilot. Currently women make up only six per cent of easyJet’s new pilot intake, in line with the industry as a whole. The airline plans to double this to 12 per cent over the next two years and will offer to underwrite the full training loan of six female new entrant pilots.

Lesley Hopker, easyJet Senior First Officer based at Newcastle International Airport, said:

“For me, working as a pilot is a truly unique career. The opportunities it presents are numerous, the days are exciting, rewarding, sometimes challenging and always enjoyable. It is safe to say that no two days are ever the same.

“As easyJet is one of Europe’s biggest airlines, that also brings with it job security, as well as great career opportunities and progression as a pilot. There is great support for you to take your command or to get into a training role as either a Captain or a First Officer, if that is the direction you want your career to take. The opportunities are all there for you, all you have to do is put in the hard work.

“easyJet’s number one priority is safety and this is reflected in the outstanding training you continually receive throughout your career and of course we get to fly some of the newest aircraft in the skies. For me personally, I would be hard pushed to think of a more enjoyable and satisfying career than with one of the most successful airlines around today.”

Captain Brian Tyrrell, easyJet’s head of flight operations, said:

“We’re really pleased to have opened recruitment for more than 450 new easyJet pilot positions.

“At easyJet, we pride ourselves on having a team of the highest talent and we offer our pilots a clear career path with the opportunity to develop from first officer to captain quicker than at other airlines.

“This is an exciting time to join easyJet as we continue to grow and develop to maintain our position as Europe’s leading airline and I look forward to welcoming the successful applicants in the near future.”

Candidates can apply now at https://careers.easyjet.com/pilots/