FLYADEAL MARKS INTERNATIONAL PILOTS' DAY WITH THE AIRLINE'S FIRST CADETS BEGINNING COMMERCIAL FLYING

Saudi Arabia’s Leading Low-Cost Carrier Has 64 Cadets Enrolled On New Training Programme

Jeddah, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA?—?flyadeal, one of the youngest and fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, marks International Pilots' Day with its first batch of cadet pilots completing training and launching their commercial flying career.

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Earlier this year, flyadeal introduced a programme for Saudi nationals holding a commercial pilot’s licence, to undergo three months of intensive training specifically to fly Airbus A320 aircraft which is the backbone of the airline’s young fleet.

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With 64 trainees enrolled in the programme from hundreds of applications, the first batch of 16 successfully completed classroom and Type Rating simulator training at flyadeal’s sister facility, Saudia Academy, in Jeddah. They have now been inducted into the airline’s scheduled flying programme.

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Dedicated to the global pilot community, April 26 is a day that acknowledges the significant contribution of pilots to safely transport tens of millions of people around the world – be they flying commercial, military, or private aircraft – in support of multiple industries.

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Steven Greenway ????? ?????? , flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “International Pilots’ Day is recognised globally to honour the men and women who collectively put safety at the heart of their work and what better way to mark this special day than by welcoming our newly qualified cadet pilots. At flyadeal, we have a wonderful community of almost 300 pilots representing a quarter of our workforce.

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“The cadet pilot training programme was launched this year to support the aggressive recruitment drive across the company, including the need for more flight deck crew as we expand our current fleet of 33 A320s to over 100 planes by 2030 in line with the Saudi Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to develop a dynamic aviation industry.”

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Captain Abdulaziz Bahri, flyadeal Director of Flight Operations, added: “With over 40 per cent of flyadeal pilots being Saudis, we are delighted to have seen so many applications for our first year offering cadet training which aims to encourage more nationals to join our exciting industry. The new recruits aged as young as 20 years old have shown with rigorous training and dedication, their commitment to support flyadeal and our growth plans. Over the next 18 months alone, flyadeal will induct 10 new A320neos into the fleet and significantly expand our network of destinations.”