Ryanair Launches New Future Flyer Academy Programme For Aspiring Pilots In The Uk

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025 0

Ryanair To Train And Recruit Over 400 Pilots In The UK Over Next 4 Years

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today launched its Future Flyer Academy pilot training programme in partnership with UK-based and world-renowned international flight school, Skyborne Airline Academy, which will train over 400 aspiring pilots who will ultimately join the airline group as Second Officers over the next 4 years.

Ryanair’s Future Flyer Academy offers aspiring pilots the opportunity to kickstart their aviation career as a commercial airline through a world-class combination of classroom, simulator, and practical training with a defined path to employment as a Second Officer with Europe’s largest airline group – Ryanair – as the airline continues to grow to carry over 300m passengers p.a. on a fleet of 800 aircraft by 2034.

For several years, Skyborne has been training aspiring pilots to a standard where they can complete their Type Rating course to operate Ryanair’s Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 aircraft. Through Ryanair’s new Future Flyer Academy programme, this initial training is combined with the Type Rating qualification to fast-track pilot training progression. Not only that, but Ryanair also guarantees candidates a job* as a commercial pilot with the airline upon completion of the programme, with industry leading benefits such as;

Outstanding earnings potential
Access to Ryanair’s Route-to-Command programme – fastest route to Captain (within 4 years)
Industry-leading rosters – fixed 5 days on, 4 days off
Great basing opportunities given Ryanair’s over 90 base network
Opportunity to fly on one of Europe’s youngest, most efficient fleets – average 64g CO2 per pax/km in Feb

Applications for Ryanair’s Future Flyer Academy with Skyborne are open now. For more information visit the “Become a Pilot” section on careers.ryanair.com or apply at https://skyborne.com/uk/ryanair/.

Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon, said:

“We are delighted to launch the Future Flyer Academy in partnership with Skyborne Airline Academy in the UK. By combining Ryanair’s industry-leading expertise with Skyborne’s excellent training programmes, our Future Flyer Academy will create unparalleled opportunities for 100’s of aspiring pilots who are looking to kickstart a well-paid career in aviation as a commercial pilot. Ryanair’s new Future Flyer Academy training programme shows our continued commitment to supporting, developing, and recruiting aspiring pilots for future positions as we take delivery of over 300 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft over the next 10 years. Ryanair looks forward to growing the careers of many more Skyborne pilot trainees through our Future Flyer Academy over the years to come.”

Ryanair’s Head of Crew Training Captain, Paul Kelly said:

“Our Future Flyer Academy training programme will provide Ryanair with a steady pipeline of talented and professional pilots from around Europe to meet the needs of our growing network. This enhanced programme, has a proven track record of providing us with highly trained cadets who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to succeed as a future Ryanair Captain.”

Skyborne CEO’s, Lee Woodward said:

“We are thrilled to partner with Ryanair, one of Europe’s leading airlines, in response to the growing demand for commercial aviation and the need for streamlined pathways to the flight deck. This collaboration underscores the exceptional quality of our airline cadet programmes, which consistently produce highly skilled and well-prepared pilots. We’re proud to contribute to the industry’s growth by providing Ryanair with pilots who meet and exceed the highest standards of professionalism and expertise.”