The airBaltic Pilot Academy, the Latvian national airline’s prestigious training institution, welcomed its 18th cohort of students on May 15, 2023.
The group of thirteen future aviators have embarked on their journey to earn a commercial pilot licence as part of the full-time airline transport pilot program.
Since its inception in 2017, the academy has served as a crucible for molding skilled aviation professionals. Currently, there are 100 active students from all over Europe, primarily from Baltic countries but also from nations like Germany, France, Finland, Spain, and Italy.
The 18th cohort of students represents an international mix hailing from countries like Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Lithuania, France, and Spain. An impressive 10% of the academy’s students are women, further highlighting the institution’s commitment to promoting diversity within the aviation sector.
The CEO of airBaltic, Martin Gauss, praised the new students for their ambition and determination. “Highly-trained personnel is one of the key factors of successful operations at any airline,” he said. “We congratulate the young and determined students of the 18th group, who started their studies today to become professional pilots.”
The academy’s contribution to the airline’s workforce is notable. So far, 78 of its graduates have become part of the airBaltic team, serving as a testament to the high-quality training the academy provides.
Moreover, since May 2022, the airBaltic Pilot Academy has undertaken measures to make its program more financially accessible. After passing the company’s assessment, airBaltic now offers significant financial support towards the commercial pilot study program.
Students are initially responsible for the costs of obtaining a private pilot licence, which amounts to approximately EUR 25,000. Once they pass the airBaltic pilot assessment and become an employee of the company, the airline then assumes responsibility for financing the rest of the studies. This revised payment structure will likely make a significant impact on attracting a wider range of candidates, fueling the growth of the next generation of pilots.
