Air New Zealand launches inaugural pilot cadet program with first cohort departing

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Air New Zealand launches inaugural pilot cadet program with first cohort departing

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Mike Williams Chief Transformation and Alliances Officer | Air New Zealand

By Sky Industry News

Sep 27, 2024

Air New Zealand has initiated its pilot training program, selecting 30 cadets from a pool of over 2,000 applicants. The first group of six trainees is set to begin their journey in the United States today. This marks the start of the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship, which was announced in June 2024 as an accelerated pathway for aspiring pilots.

The program aims to inspire and support Kiwis in pursuing careers as pilots by covering most training costs. It offers a 14-month fast-tracked route to becoming a pilot with Air New Zealand.

Among those beginning their training is Paige Ward, a former senior lab technician from Christchurch. She expressed her excitement about the opportunity: "I always had that pull to become a pilot – it's a dream job. But the financial barriers, like the high cost of training, led me to pursue a science degree instead."

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Dalton Coppins from Auckland also embarks on this journey after working as a flight attendant for Air New Zealand. He shared his enthusiasm: "Becoming a cabin crew member was a way to get into aviation... When the cadetship came up, applying was a no-brainer."

Caleb Thomas, another selected cadet and University of Waikato student, saw this as an opportunity he couldn't miss: "I decided to study business and science because I'm passionate about sustainability... I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Greg Foran, Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand, highlighted the importance of this initiative: "The cadetship opens the door for individuals from all walks of life by reducing barriers to becoming a pilot."

The first cohort will spend 12 months in Arizona for initial training before moving on to Dubai for specific aircraft training. Subsequent groups will follow at eight-week intervals. The airline plans to integrate these new pilots into its internal training by late 2025.