FTEJerez flight school returns to UK after 30 years with new pilot training base at London Oxford Airport
August 19, 2025
FTEJerez plans to open a new training base at London Oxford Airport, marking its return to the UK after more than 30 years.
Contracts were signed in June, and operations at the Oxfordshire training hub, which is also home to CAE, are scheduled to begin in late summer 2025. The Spanish-based flight training academy last operated a UK base in the late 1980s.
The move comes alongside recently approved plans for purpose-built facilities tailored to FTEJerez’s operations. This includes the need to incorporate UK CAA licences for pilots on airline-tagged courses, such as with British Airways and Jet2.
FTEJerez is equipped to train future UK pilots
Initially, the Oxford site will be equipped with two Diamond DA42 aircraft and will deliver a bespoke training programme aligned with UK Civil Aviation Authority licensing requirements.
The expansion is also designed with flexibility for future growth as demand increases, the training provider said.
FTEJerez, which currently has its headquarters in the city of the same name in southern Spain, said the Oxford base will strengthen its ability to serve both airline-sponsored students and self-funded trainees seeking a UK or dual licence.
“This is a proud and exciting step forward for FTEJerez,” says FTE CEO, Oscar Sordo. “Establishing our own presence at London Oxford Airport allows us to deliver UK CAA training with the same quality and oversight that have defined our programmes for decades.”
Ed Sale, Business Development Manager at London Oxford Airport, added: “We are delighted FTEJerez have selected London Oxford Airport as their official base for their return to the UK. With training flight movements up year on year at London Oxford Airport, we have the infrastructure and capacity to support the growth of this market.”
Pilot training school’s UK heritage
Founded in 1988 as the BAE Systems Flying College at Prestwick in Scotland, FTEJerez has long been recognised as one of Europe’s leading providers of integrated flight training.
After relocating to Jerez de la Frontera, an hour south of Seville, during the early 1990s, the academy built a reputation for its intensive residential training model, combining favourable weather conditions with modern facilities and a diverse international student community, which spans cadets from the Middle East and Central Asia.
The decision to return to the UK comes against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving pilot training landscape, driven by added bureaucracy in the wake of Brexit-induced rule changes.
Airlines are now seeking integrated training packages tailored to specific regulatory regimes, namely either the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licensing requirements, where once trainees could apply for jobs with either.
Since Brexit, the need for flexible training routes has become more pronounced, particularly for cadets aiming to secure dual licences to enhance employability across European and UK carriers.
At the same time, demand for pilots is forecast to rise steadily as airlines rebuild capacity and modern fleets come online.
This has led to renewed investment in flight training infrastructure worldwide, with schools such as FTEJerez expanding to ensure a pipeline of cadets capable of meeting future airline recruitment needs.
