Finnair, Finland’s largest airline, is to launch a new training programme for new commercial pilots by the end of 2016, in order to meet its rising demand for workforce.
An agreement has been signed between Finnair and Patria Pilot Training, with Patria to run a MPL-training programme (Multi-Crew Pilot License) for Finnair, together with the Finnair Flight Academy.
The first training course will begin at the end of this year, and the aim is to run three courses annually, lasting 18 months. The first part of the course will take place in Patria’s new training centre in Tampere-Pirkkala, Finland. Those who pass the training course will receive a position from Finnair as an A320 copilot. The cost of the programme is €80,000.
“We are very happy to announce this cooperation with Patria. Finnair’s accelerated growth strategy and our growing A350 fleet mean that we will need more pilots during the coming years. The MPL training cooperation with Patria will create a new, alternative training path for aspiring pilots,” says Captain Jari Paajanen, Vice President of Finnair Flight Operations. “Together, these will match our recruitment requirements and ensure quality training for those dreaming of a career as a pilot. Our strategy also offers great possibilities to fly with different Airbus aircraft and career opportunities such as becoming a captain or a trainer.”
“We are very pleased to start training commercial pilots together with Finnair. This is the first MPL-training organised in Finland and an essential addition to Patria’s comprehensive pilot training offering. More people will now be able to pursue a career as a pilot,” says Mikko Paronen, Managing Director of Patria Pilot Training. “The new MPL training program is an excellent addition to our training portfolio.”
“We are very happy to announce this co-operation with Patria. Finnair’s accelerated growth strategy and our growing A350 fleet mean that we will need more pilots during the coming years. The [multi-crew pilot licence] training co-operation will create a new, alternative training path for aspiring pilots,” says Jari Paajanen, the vice president of flight operations at Finnair. The programme, he estimates, will both help meet the recruitment requirements of the carrier and guarantee the high quality of pilot training in Finland.
More information here.
