Ryanair agrees pilot training with flight school

RYANAIR has announced a new training partnership with Cork-based international flight school, Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) which will create 50 new pilot jobs. 

The partnership, announced by Tánaiste Simon Coveney, involves a 16-month intensive training programme and will give trainee pilots a structured path to achieve their licence and reach a standard where they are ready to join the Ryanair

Over the next five years, up to 450 new pilots from across Europe will be recruited and trained by AFTA in Cork, underlining AFTA’s global position in the pilot training market.

Ryanair also launched its Cork summer schedule for 2019, with four new routes to Budapest, London Luton, Malta and Poznan, more flights to Malaga, and 16 routes in total. Ryanair will deliver 1.1m customers through Cork Airport next year as it grows its Cork traffic by 20%.

Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, said: ‘Ryanair is one of Ireland’s world class business successes and this announcement confirming the next generation of Ryanair pilots will be trained in Cork is a most welcome one. I hope many will be based in Cork when they qualify to fly on the new routes announced from Cork Airport.’

Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kenny Jacobs,  also from Cork, 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. We are also launching our Cork summer 2019 schedule, our biggest ever, with 16 routes including 4 exciting new routes to Budapest, London Luton, Malta and Poznan, further cementing our commitment to Cork and the Munster region. Our summer 2019 schedule will deliver 1.1m customers p.a. at Cork Airport (growth of 20%), all on the lowest fares, as we continue to grow Cork routes, traffic, tourism and jobs.’

The online application for the Ryanair-AFTA Training Programme is now open. For more information and to apply, visit www.afta.ie/ryanair