Cadets are back with Etihad

The UAE flag-carrier suspended the programme during the pandemic but is now restoring it, to ensure it has enough trained personnel on its future flight decks.

Unlike the previous courses, which saw youngsters undertaking university before starting the course, the revived project will open up the chance to become a pilot to high school graduates.

“We wanted to make the programme as available as possible, and make it experience-based, so we ensure that we attract young talent,” said Dr Nadia Bastaki, Etihad’s chief people and corporate affairs officer.

The new course attracted 3,000 applications and a selection process is under way, with around 60 people starting the cadet course in January.

Ground school, followed by flight training in Spain, will take 18 months to two years. After simulator training, the young pilots will become second officers on Etihad’s short-haul Airbus A320 fleet. The relatively short sectors mean that the young pilots will get more practice in take-offs and landings.

Etihad’s rapid expansion means that career progression can be rapid, with young pilots potentially reaching captain status in eight to 10 years, said Bastaki.