EasyJet names Skyborne Airline Academy as official UK pilot training partner

UK low-cost carrier easyJet has appointed Skyborne Airline Academy as an official training partner under its FlightCrew Futures Programme, with Skyborne contracted to deliver 500 newly qualified pilots over five years as part of a broader hiring target of 1,000 first officers.

According to Aviation Business News, the remaining 500 pilots will train through easyJet's existing partner CAE on the Multi Pilot Licence route, while Skyborne will deliver training via the Integrated Air Transport Pilot Licence pathway. Both courses are self-funded at a cost of approximately £115,000, with successful applicants receiving a conditional first officer job offer upon enrolment.

Skyborne's Integrated ATPL is a conventional ab initio route encompassing ground school, light aircraft flight training, and an Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation course before type rating and line flying. Training will be conducted across Skyborne facilities in Gloucestershire, Bournemouth and Vero Beach, Florida, with easyJet providing mentorship throughout the programme.

Lee Woodward, chief executive at Skyborne, described the partnership as a significant step for the academy. "Our new five-year agreement is a true testament to our ability to train pilots of the highest quality and standards in the industry," he said, adding that Skyborne graduates had already secured first officer positions with easyJet prior to the formal partnership.

Daniele Grassini, easyJet's director of training and standards, said the airline was delighted to offer more pathways into a career at easyJet, encouraging anyone motivated by aviation to apply for the programme.

The partnership arrives as European carriers face sustained pressure to expand pilot pipelines, with industry projections pointing to a significant regional shortfall by the early 2030s driven by retirements and accelerating fleet growth.

Discover the full details of the partnership and programme structure in the original story.