Airlines at Gatwick fight for pilots in recruitment push
The Independent|October 22, 2024
EasyJet offers captains a salary of up to 170k to attract staff
NATALIE WILSON
Airlines at Gatwick fight for pilots in recruitment push

Airlines at Gatwick are competing to hire new pilots with high salaries as staff shortages continue in post-pandemic air travel.

EasyJet and British Airways, the aviation hub’s largest operators, both fly versions of the Airbus A320 commercial aircraft with recruitment efforts aimed at pilots who have the same training.

Pilot training programmes and hiring were largely frozen during Covid but as passenger numbers recover, a lack of air staff to operate flights has been reported. To overcome this staff crisis, EasyJet is currently offering captains an annual salary of up to £170,000, including variable pay, dependent on experience.

Flag carrier airline BA returned to Gatwick in March 2022 with a new shorthaul EuroFlyer division after focusing on flights from Heathrow during Covid. Top salaries at BA start around £138,000 according to industry sources, reports The Times.

This story is from the October 22, 2024 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 22, 2024 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
STOLEN MOMENTS
The Independent

STOLEN MOMENTS

The antics of the gentleman thief in EW Hornung's 'Raffles' bring Anthony Quinn as much joy as when he was a child.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?
The Independent

Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?

The stand-up comedian's close-to-the-bone comedy makes Nikki Glaser the ideal choice to host tomorrow's Golden Globes. Move over, Ricky Gervais, writes Kevin E G Perry

time-read
6 mins  |
January 04, 2025
'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'
The Independent

'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'

Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall is newly solo with a debut electropop hit to her name. She talks to Annabel Nugent about the downside of fame and how she's never feared 'clapping back'

time-read
10 mins  |
January 04, 2025
The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy
The Independent

The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy

The tech billionaire's move to support the AfD is proof he is determined to unsettle a nation that knows all too well what far-right dictatorship can bring, writes John Kampfner

time-read
4 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit
The Independent

Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit

Arne Slot has claimed that the saga about Trent AlexanderArnold's future is helpful to him as it prevents his Liverpool players from being overloaded with praise that could make them complacent.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim
The Independent

United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim

When Ruben Amorim got to convey good news, it still came with a demand.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game
The Independent

Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game

Whether he beat or lost to Michael van Gerwen on the Alexandra Palace stage on Friday night, Luke Littler was al going to leave his second World Darts Championship as a winner.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17
The Independent

Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17

Darts has a new world champion, and he's a 17-year-old boy from Warrington.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 04, 2025
The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout
The Independent

The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout

Don't tell Liam and Noel, but the biggest entertainment event of 2025 won't be their reunion, it'll be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists
The Independent

Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists

A group of economists have warned that the Treasury is likely to raise taxes even further this year, despite an expectation that the country will return to growth in 2025.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025