Virgin Atlantic has announced its airline pilot career programme – the Virgin Atlantic Future Flyers Programme, offering potential pilots the chance to join the airline with no previous flying experience. This is the first time that Virgin Atlantic has offered a programme of this kind.
The fully-sponsored programme, run in partnership with CTC Aviation, is the only one in Europe that sees new recruits training on long-haul aircraft once they receive their license. The programme is fully-sponsored; cadets will be asked to lodge a security deposit of £109,000 at the beginning of their training and cadets’ investment will be repaid during employment with Virgin Atlantic (subject to qualification criteria) on completion of training.
It may also be possible for Virgin Atlantic to act as bank loan guarantors for a small number of successful candidates if required. Virgin states that the programme offers an opportunity for everyone, including the most exceptional candidates with potentially limited financial resource.
Applications are now open via www.ctcaviation.com/virginatlantic for two weeks.
David Kistruck, General Manager, Flight Operations at Virgin Atlantic, explained, “Our people have always been at the heart of Virgin Atlantic and we’re delighted to offer this opportunity to a whole new generation of flyers.
They’ll be part of the Virgin family from day one and will enjoy an opportunity like no other, as the only trainee pilots in Europe to fly straight onto long-haul aircraft once qualified, building their career as an ambassador for one of the world’s most iconic brands.
“It’s an exciting chapter in our history to be able to offer a programme that closes the gap between the dream and the reality of piloting a long haul aircraft and we’re looking forward to finding our diverse and talented flight crew for the future.”