Aurigny and Norse unveil pilot pathway linking regional with long-haul flying
July 18, 2025
Aurigny and Norse Atlantic UK have formed a new partnership aimed at giving first officers from the Channel Islands a direct route into long-haul flying.
Under the agreement, Aurigny will become an official career partner to Norse Atlantic UK.
Pilots who start their careers flying the regional carrier’s ATR72-600 turboprops on routes between Guernsey and mainland Europe will, after accruing sufficient experience, be given the opportunity to progress to operating Norse Atlantic’s long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Aurigny and Norse collaborate to address pilot shortage
The collaboration addresses the growing demand for experienced first officers while offering an opportunity for regional pilots to transition into international widebody operations.
London Gatwick-based Norse Atlantic UK flies to destinations across North America, South Africa and Thailand.
For Aurigny, the agreement enhances its appeal as a starting point for career pilots looking for progression beyond regional flying.
The initiative is expected to benefit both airlines and the wider aviation workforce by creating a pipeline that supports career development while ensuring operators have access to experienced and well-trained pilots.
Philip Smallwood, chief operating officer at Aurigny, said: “I am thrilled to be part of developing this exciting career pathway for Aurigny First Officers as well as future cadet entry pilots who are initially joining Aurigny and contribute to a vital service for our island community.
“Ultimately, this makes Aurigny a more appealing long-term career choice for aspiring aviators.”
David Thomas, SVP operations and accountable manager at Norse Atlantic UK, added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Aurigny to offer aspiring pilots an exciting pathway into the flight deck of our Boeing 787 Dreamliners through this program.
“At Norse Atlantic we are excited about creating real opportunities for talent to further develop aviation and our company. Aurigny is the perfect partner given its high standards of training and experience of short haul operations along with its frequent services to our base at London Gatwick”.
