Holiday airline Jet2 is to offer a fully-funded initiative to attract new pilots.

The programme, named ‘Jet2FlightPath’ has been designed to remove the financial barriers to pilot training, offering candidates a direct route to the flight deck.

Successful candidates will undergo an 18-month sponsored pilot training package with Skyborne, one of several approved providers for the scheme. Upon completion, graduates will hold a UK CAA Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and be offered Type Rating training on an Airbus or Boeing aircraft before beginning their careers as Second Officers.

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The airline plans to put 60 pilots through Jet2FlightPath in the first year of the programme and then expand it to attract even more aspiring pilots in the coming years as the company continues to grow.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We know that the cost of training is an obstacle to many people who dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, so we are very proud to announce this programme which will help us make that dream become a reality for many, including those who may have thought that the opportunity was beyond their means”.

He adds: “By opening this incredible opportunity up to so many people from so many backgrounds, we expect the programme to be extremely popular, so we look forward to receiving applications and helping many wonderful flying careers take off.”