The airBaltic Pilot Academy marked a momentous occasion on September 9, 2024, graduating 18 students who successfully completed the airline transport pilot program. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as it includes the academy’s 100th graduate. The graduates hail from a diverse range of countries, including Austria, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain.
Simultaneously, a new cohort of 15 aspiring pilots from Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden embarked on their training journey. This new group marks the 23rd cohort to enter the academy.
Martin Gauss, CEO and President of airBaltic, expressed his pride in the academy’s achievements: “We are proud to see and congratulate not only the 18 latest graduates of the Pilot Academy but also to celebrate our 100th graduate. This is a remarkable milestone in our journey to develop world-class aviation professionals.” He also acknowledged the upcoming arrival of new graduates into the airBaltic team, stating: “Several of the new graduates will begin additional training this month, preparing to join the airBaltic team soon. Having well-trained personnel is a crucial element for the success of any airline.”
Gauss further emphasized the importance of the new cohort: “Moreover, we extend our congratulations to the young and motivated students of the 23rd group, who embarked on their educational journey today. As airBaltic continues its development and works toward operating 100 aircraft by 2023, having such dedicated individuals will be key to achieving our future goals.”
The airBaltic Pilot Academy currently boasts 136 active students, with a majority originating from the Baltic nations. It also welcomes students from other EU member states, including Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, and Italy. Notably, women comprise over 10% of the student body. Since its inception, 112 graduates have successfully joined airBaltic’s ranks.
The academy’s enrollment process requires students to fund their initial ATPL theory studies and 45 flight hours, amounting to EUR 15,000. Upon successfully completing the airBaltic pilot assessment and joining the airline’s staff, the company provides loans to cover the remaining training expenses.
To further enhance its training infrastructure and accommodate its expanding fleet, airBaltic plans to install a second Airbus A220 full flight simulator by the end of 2024. This addition will significantly improve the academy’s capacity to train pilots, supporting the ongoing development programs.
