Air New Zealand launches expedited, fully-funded training programme
Air New Zealand has become the latest airline to offer an all-inclusive route towards a commercial pilots’ license, with the programme cutting the typical training time from the typical 24-36…
June 12, 2024
Air New Zealand has become the latest airline to offer an all-inclusive route towards a commercial pilots’ license, with the programme cutting the typical training time from the typical 24-36 months to approximately 14 months.
The first-ever Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship “complements existing pilot pathways, ensuring we can continue to meet future demand and avoid possible pilot shortages,” highlights the airline. An initial cohort of 30 Kiwi students will commence their fully-funded training in September 2024, initially studying in Arizona before completing simulator sessions in Dubai.
Acknowledging the often prohibitive cost of self-funded pathways, “we also know airlines around the world are already having to ground aircraft and cancel flights due to a lack of pilots,” explained Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan. “While these shortages have yet to impact Air New Zealand, we could see this change quickly if we aren’t proactive now”.
Air New Zealand is also seeking a training provider within the country to deliver a fully integrated airline pilot training cadetship, “full aligned with Air New Zealand turboprop aircraft operations”. Rather than continue to follow the current industry model of recruiting candidates who are yet to gain their type rating, “the future success of the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship will rely on the pilot training sector working together in a way that it hasn’t done before,” added Morgan.
The airline concludes it will “continue to recruit pilots who come through traditional pathways, with the new cadetship designed to supplement the existing pilot recruitment programme”.
