airBaltic Celebrates 100th Pilot Academy Graduate with New Aviators

airBaltic has marked a significant milestone by graduating its 100th pilot from its Pilot Academy, celebrating the completion of intensive training for a new cohort of aspiring aviators. The recent batch of 18 graduates has successfully earned their commercial pilot licenses, with many expected to join the Latvian national airline in the near future.

The new pilots have completed airBaltic’s rigorous full-time airline transport pilot program, a critical step in the airline’s mission to develop world-class aviation professionals. This milestone underscores airBaltic’s commitment to nurturing skilled pilots to support its growing fleet and expanding operations.

Martin Gauss, CEO and President of airBaltic, expressed pride in both the 18 new graduates and the 100th pilot, highlighting the significance of this achievement. “We are thrilled to congratulate our latest graduates and celebrate the 100th milestone. This accomplishment reflects our dedication to producing top-tier aviation talent. Several of these new graduates will soon begin additional training to join our team. Well-trained personnel are vital for any airline’s success,” Gauss stated.

The graduates come from a diverse range of countries, including Austria, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain, with the latest group of cadets representing Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Currently, 136 students are actively enrolled at the airBaltic Pilot Academy. The academy continues to attract aspiring pilots from Baltic countries as well as other EU nations such as Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, and Italy. Notably, over 10% of the academy’s students are female.

airBaltic’s Pilot Academy program requires students to cover the cost of ATPL theory studies and 45 flight hours, totaling €15,000 ($16,550). However, upon passing the airBaltic pilot assessment and securing employment with the airline, airBaltic offers financing for the remainder of the training.

To further support its expanding pilot pool, airBaltic is set to enhance its training capabilities with the addition of a second Airbus A220 full-flight simulator, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2024. This new simulator will bolster the airline’s ability to train and qualify its pilots, aligning with the airline’s fleet expansion plans and the ongoing development of its Pilot Academy.

The expansion of airBaltic’s training infrastructure and the graduation of its 100th pilot signify the airline’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth in the aviation sector.