Rapid expansion in airlines leads to extensive pilot recruitment
South African graduates are in demand as they are professional pilots of a high standard.
The Mideast aviation sector is facing a pilot shortage, experts say as 450 000 jobs open up with Emirates, Etihad Airways, FlyDubai, Qatar Airways, Air China, Qantas, Philippean Airways, spearheading an aggressive expansion drive as the Boeing and Airbus order books quickly fill up at the Dubai Airshow.
The Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE), running alongside the Dubai Air Show quickly heard how the crisis loomed over the sector. Airlines will be investing heavily in training and quality service to meet their growing targets.
Ian Dyson, director of Lanseria Flight Centre and Grand Central Airport has been in pilot training for more than 25 years and has supplied graduate pilots to the world’s leading airlines.
Urgent action is needed to resolve the lack of qualified commercial pilots. Individuals embarking on a career in aviation need to ensure that they train with a professional organisation with a leading reputation and that they gain the necessary credentials required before applying to these leading airlines.
Many of the Mideast airlines are establishing their own training bases and recruiting low-hours commercial pilot graduates. South African graduates are in demand as they are professional pilots of a high standard, prepared to deliver their best and in search of excellence. Emirates has built a training academy at Al Maktoum and commercial pilots graduates need to ensure they are on track for their intake.
Lanseria Flight Centre, pilot training division, is dedicated to producing the highest standard of professional pilots and airline cadets in South Africa to maintain their excellent record with these major airlines.
The increasingly competitive pilot marketplace over the next two years is significantly under-supplied in these regions.
Why fly for a Mideast airline?
Any of the pilots and captains of Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Etihad, Air China, Singapore Airways will tell you these airlines operate professionally, efficiently, operate the best equipment, offer the highest standard of continued pilot training, excellent remuneration, routes, scheduling etc. The Paris Air Show voted the Mideast airlines the top airlines in the world with Qatar, Emirates, Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Jetstar and SAA winning the top Global Awards.
Attending Graduates careers day in Johannesburg, Ian Dyson discussed the benefits, opportunities and scope of a career in aviation compared to other careers on offer. Not many of the alternative careers offered such a quick progression to employment, a secure future and international opportunity. “We are proud that our first-class pilot training delivery is being recognised by the most reputed airlines in the airline industry. We thank our students, funders, airlines, recruiting officers for recognising the best in us and make a pledge to our stakeholders to work even harder to meet their high expectations,” says Ian.
Lanseria Flight Centre enrolment for 2014 is open and filling fast. Ensure you have what it takes to get off to a flying start in aviation.
Visit Lanseria Flight Centre at Grand Central Airport, Midrand or submit an application to www.flylfc.com.
