Aer Lingus has reopened its pilot recruitment drive and is fully funding training for aspiring pilots.
The airline is set to recruit 90 new pilots over the next five years, with 18 candidates taken on this year alone. The course is fully sponsored by the airline – and with pilot training sometimes reaching into six figures, this is a chance to get your wings without any alarming fees attached.
It’s the first time since 2019 that Aer Lingus has opened its intensive pilot training programme.
The course itself will begin in January 2024 and budding pilots will go through a 14-month training programme in Jerez in Spain, in collaboration with the Spanish flight training school, FTE Jerez. After that, they return to the Aer Lingus’ Training Academy in Dublin to complete their training.
Aer Lingus has reopened its pilot training schemeAn Aer Lingus planeCredit: Aer Lingus
On qualifying, the aspiring pilots will receive a Multi-crew Pilot’s Commercial Licence, leading them to become a First Officer and ultimately a Captain for short and long-haul routes.
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Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Lynne Embleton said: “The Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme opens a world of opportunity for the next generation of pilots who will join our airline.
“Aer Lingus’ transatlantic expansion and Dublin Hub growth strategy, means there are opportunities for new Aer Lingus trained pilots to join our team of Captains and First Officers who currently fly to over 80 European destinations, and to 14 North American destinations on our long-haul network.
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“Our continued focus on using Ireland’s unique geographic position to connect Europe to North America and vice versa presents immensely exciting careers for those who are passionate about being a pilot.
“We have a rich history at Aer Lingus of training pilots and our new Future Pilot Programme continues in that wonderful tradition, for which we are well known and respected.
“We encourage everyone interested to consider our fully funded future pilot programme and we particularly encourage females to apply as we continue our efforts to close the gender gap in aviation.”
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Aer Lingus’s Chief Instructor, Captain Karl O’Neill, is looking to attract people to Aer Lingus who are highly motivated and passionate about aviation.
He said: “Operating an aircraft requires specific skills and competencies. While pilots are required to be technically adept, many of the required competencies like decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are readily transferred from other careers.
“We are seeking to attract future pilots with a wide breadth of qualifications from all backgrounds to reflect the rich diversity of our society and economy. We are looking for those with strong people skills, who are pragmatic and committed in their ambition to join our existing team of outstanding pilots.
“Successful candidates will go through one of the most thorough and high-standard training courses in the world with mentoring, guidance, and support throughout.”
Passengers across the North warned as new train timetables launch this month
Emily Sergeant
Passengers across the North are being told to plan head as new train timetables with ‘targeted adjustments’ are being introduced this month.
Forming part of the national timetable change – which takes place twice a year each May and December – train operator Northern is reminding customers about changes which are going live next week following recent feedback from customers on how to improve.
While most of Northern’s services set to see little to no change this month, there are some ‘targeted adjustments’ taking place.
Here in the North West and Greater Manchester, there will be some small changes on a few routes to ‘help with punctuality’, but it’s elsewhere across the region where more significant changes are set to take place.
In the North East, more customers will be able to travel between Newcastle and Whitby on Sundays without changing trains, and there will be some small tweaks to the timetables on other lines.
Passengers across the North are being warned as new train timetables launch this month / Credit: Northern
Then, over in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, trains running between Sheffield and Lincoln will now call at all stations along the route on Sundays.
“We’ve listened to feedback from our customers and have focused on improving reliability when the May timetable change takes place,” commented Toby Higgins, who is the Head of Business Performance at Northern, ahead of the timetable changes being introduced next week.
“Whilst there won’t be widespread changes to times, I’d advise customers to check before they travel as some services will leave a few minutes earlier than they do now to help with overall punctuality.”
New train timetables go live from next Sunday 17 May, and the full details of all of the changes taking place across the network can be found on Northern’s website here.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Travel & Tourism
Iconic boutique hotel in Manchester unveils stunning new look, including redesigned roof terrace
Daisy Jackson
An iconic hotel in Manchester that’s already home to a rooftop terrace, serene spa, private screening room, and dozens of beautiful boutique bedrooms has unveiled a new chapter.
King Street Townhouse is now ready to introduce 10 totally reimagined guest rooms, plus refined event spaces, all still honouring the building’s Grade II-listed heritage.
The boutique accommodation in the city centre has just unveiled this design refresh, coinciding with its recent 10th anniversary.
One of the major developments at the luxury hotel is the collection of 10 new Signature Guestrooms, each with its own unique character, defined by rich textures and curated art.
Beyond the quiet luxury of the new bedrooms, you’ll find newly reimagined event spaces, like its beautiful South Terrace and Lounge with panoramic skyline views which has always been popular for weddings, conferences, and other private events.
Now, the interiors flow seamlessly onto the terrace for an indoor-outdoor experience, with a sculptural feature bar and discreet flexible partitions.
Elsewhere in King Street Townhouse, the Mezzanine Lounge has also had a refurb, now offering bespoke seating and its own dedicated bar.
And that’s alongside all the long-loved features from the last decade, like The Tavern restaurant, the infinity pool, the private screening room, the gym, and the King Street Spa.
King Street Townhouse has refurbed its roof terraceThe new bar at King Street TownhouseThe refreshed Mezzanine Lounge One of the Signature GuestroomsDetails of the new barEach Signature Guestroom has its own characterThere are 10 redesigned bedrooms at King Street Townhouse
Viki Tahmasebi, CEO, THG Experience, said: “This marks an exciting new chapter for King Street Townhouse.
“Our vision has always been to create guest experiences that feel deeply personal and intuitively luxurious, and these enhancements further bring this to life.
“We’ve reimagined our spaces to reflect how our guests want to live, gather and unwind – building on what has long been cherished.”
You can see more and book a stay at the new-look King Street Townhouse HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2023 
