Airlines

Air France Begins New Cadet Pilot Recruitment Campaign for Airbus &Boeing Planes

Air France has announced the opening of applications for its prestigious cadet pilot program. This initiative is designed to train and launch the careers of the next generation of pilots, welcoming candidates of all ages and levels of flying experience.

Successful applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process, after which they will embark on a comprehensive 24-month training program. This training, fully funded by Air France, will be provided by the airline’s partner schools. Upon completion, graduates will begin their careers as First Officers on Air France’s Airbus A220 and A320 aircraft, as well as on Transavia’s Boeing B737 and Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Joining Air France as a pilot means becoming part of an airline with over 90 years of history. Air France pilots are renowned for their commitment to the highest standards of flight safety, technical expertise, and eco-responsible piloting. They also maintain a strong focus on customer satisfaction.

Air France is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality within its workforce. The airline actively encourages women to pursue careers in technical professions. Notably, the previous cohort of cadet pilot graduates included 10% women, compared to the 9% of women pilots within the company overall.

To offer aspiring pilots more information about the cadet program’s recruitment and training process, Air France has partnered with the Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA) and the Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur (FFVP). Informative webinars will be held on Thursday, June 6th at 6pm (FFA) and Thursday, June 13th at 6pm (FFVP).

For those interested in applying or exploring other career opportunities at Air France, including roles in aircraft maintenance, IT, data management, and cybersecurity, further details can be found on the airline’s careers website.

The recruitment campaign is now open and runs until 15 July 2024. To find out more about the programme’s eligibility requirements and selection process, go to https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/airline-pilot

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.