Ryanair has launched their new Future Flyer Academy pilot training program in partnership with Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA). Through the partnership, Ryanair plans on recruiting and training over 400 pilots in Ireland over the next four years.
On Monday (April 15, 2024), Ryanair announced the launch of their new ‘Future Flyer Academy’ pilot training program in partnership with the Ireland-based world-renowned international flight school, Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA). Over the next four years, Ryanair hopes to recruit and train over 400 aspiring pilots in Ireland, which will join the Group as Second Officers. Recruits will have the opportunity to start their aviation career with Ryanair through a combination of classroom, simulator, and practical training, along with a defined path to employment.
In Monday’s announcement, Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon, said,
“We are delighted to launch the Future Flyer Academy in partnership with Atlantic Flight Training Academy here in Ireland. By combining Ryanair’s industry-leading expertise with AFTA’s world-class training programmes, our Future Flyer Academy will create unparalleled opportunities for 100’s of aspiring pilots who are looking to kickstart a well-paid career in aviation as a commercial pilot. Ryanair new Future Flyer Academy training programme shows our continued commitment to supporting, developing, and recruiting aspiring pilots for future positions as we take delivery of over 300 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft over the next 10 years. Ryanair looks forward to growing the careers of many more AFTA pilot trainees through our new Future Flyer Academy over the years to come.”
Also commenting on the new training partnership. AFTA’s Managing Director, Mark Casey, said,
“We are delighted to announce the partnership with Ryanair on the Future Flyer Academy. AFTA will celebrate 30 years in business next March 2025 and has a long-standing relationship with Ryanair. A very large number of our graduates currently fly as First officers, Captains, Training Captains and management pilots within the airline. The new Future Flyer Academy will give successful applicants a clear path towards a long and rewarding career as a Ryanair pilot. Ryanair’s training department is recognised as the best in the industry and the partnership validates the quality of our training programmes and AFTAs role in shaping the future Captains of the skies. We look forward to welcoming future Ryanair Captains through our doors in AFTA.”
Over the last few years, AFTA has been training pilots to a standard where they can complete their Type Rating course to operate Ryanair Group’s Boeing 737 or Airbus A380 aircraft. Ryanair’s new Future Flyer Academy program combines initial training with the Type Rating qualification to fast-track pilot training progression. Additionally, Ryanair guarantees candidates a job upon completion of the program, subject to completion of full training and relevant checks. For more information, please click here.
Source: Ryanair