Industry Insight Special Report
Hong Kong Airlines invests in cadet pilot program
July 1st 2017
Hong Kong Airlines last month launched its first Cadet Pilot Program. Fully funded by the carrier, it will be delivered in partnership with UK-headquartered L3 Commercial Training Solutions (L3 CTS) at its Airline Academy in Hamilton, New Zealand. Read More » It aims to develop high caliber students into qualified second officers who will play an important role in Hong Kong Airlines’ growth.
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Hong Kong Airlines vice chairman, Tang King-shing, said the new cadet program, which was announced on June 9, “forms a remarkable milestone for Hong Kong Airlines in nurturing and grooming our own talent asset to tie in with the company’s commitment to the local aviation industry development. It is going to support the careers of new generation in Hong Kong and will add to the 1,100 diverse job opportunities we are offering this year”. Hong Kong Airlines launched 11 destinations in 2016 and now flies to 30 cities in Asia-Pacific. It plans to step up its global market expansion by connecting Hong Kong with aviation hubs in the Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe. The carrier’s fleet will be strengthened with the delivery of its A350 aircraft from the third quarter of this year. By year end 2019, its fleet is planned to exceed 50 aircraft.
Another of the airline group’s projects, the Hong Kong Airlines Aviation Training Centre, equipped with 12 full flight simulators, is scheduled for completion in 18 months.
L3 CTS global airline pilot training, resourcing and simulation organization approved by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department. As well as its Airline Academy in New Zealand, it operates a training school in Bangkok.
L3 CTS president, Alan Crawford, said: “We are honored to have been selected to deliver Hong Kong Airlines’ very first Cadet Pilot program through our airline academy. We take enormous pride in being able to launch dream careers for aspiring pilots.”
