airBaltic Pilot Academy Triumphs with New Milestones: Four Graduates Soar into the Skies, Welcomes 16 Aspiring Aviators

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

On April 10, 2024, the Latvian national airline’s airBaltic Pilot Academy celebrated the graduation of four students who were awarded commercial pilot licenses after completing the full-time airline transport pilot program. Additionally, the academy welcomed its 22nd group, comprising 16 aspiring pilots, among whom four are existing cabin crew members seeking new professional horizons.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “We are proud to see and congratulate the latest graduates of the Pilot Academy. A number of them will start additional training this month, preparing to join the airBaltic team soon. Skilled and well-trained professionals are key to the success of any airline.”

“Moreover, we extend our congratulations to the young and motivated students of the 22^nd group, who embarked on their educational journey today. Four of them are already our employees, but have decided to embrace new professional challenges. Further education and career advancement are things that we, as a company, strongly support,” Gauss added.

Since its inception six years ago, the airBaltic Pilot Academy has seen 24 of its employees pursue studies at the academy. To date, 10 graduates have been integrated into the academy’s team as theoretical instructors, significantly bolstering its teaching staff. This growth indicates that 10% of the academy’s graduates who were hired by the airline as First Officers have also taken on instructional roles at the academy, thereby enriching the curriculum with their professional insight.

Currently, the airBaltic Pilot Academy hosts 136 students, predominantly from the Baltic states, but also includes individuals from other European Union countries like Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, and Italy. Notably, women represent over 10% of the academy’s student body. To date, 99 graduates have secured positions at airBaltic.

Academy students are required to finance their initial ATPL theory studies and 45 hours of flight training, which costs EUR 15,000. Upon successful completion of the airBaltic pilot assessment and securing employment with the company, airBaltic will offer a loan to cover the remaining educational expenses.

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