Aviation

EasyJet to hire more than 1,000 cabin crew staff

EasyJet plans to hire more than 1,000 staff in the largest cabin crew recruitment drive in its 21-year history.
Over 1,200 men and women will be given permanent and fixed-term positions at the budget airline.

This will increase its total number of cabin crew from more than 6,900 to 8,100.
The Luton-based carrier revealed earlier this year that it was recruiting more than 450 pilots and providing opportunities for its first officers to be promoted to captaincy roles.
The airline, which operates more than 270 aircraft on over 880 routes in 31 countries, will offer new cabin crew positions across almost all of its 28 European bases.
New recruits will fly on a modern fleet of Airbus aircraft, including the newest A320neo.
Head of cabin service Tina Milton said: “We’re delighted to be opening recruitment for more than 1,200 cabin crew positions today.
“EasyJet is a fantastic company to work for, with everyone across the airline working together as one team to ensure we provide the highest standard of service for our customers.
“Being cabin crew is a very rewarding role. Our teams are extremely professional and energetic with a real sense of fun.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming more people into our growing team.”

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.