06 Nov 2014 11:00
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the recruitment of 40 fully-qualified pilots from Alitalia, the national airline of Italy, as part of a large-scale global campaign to hire between 500 to 600 captains and first officers over the next three years.
The new recruits are currently in the process of transferring to Etihad
Airways under a three-year contract, with the option to become a permanent
employee after this period. In total, 38 of the pilots are expected to commence
work at Etihad Airways before the end of this year, while the remaining two will
join the airline during the first two months of 2015.
Captain Francesco De Liddo and First Officer Paolo Sala became the first
two recruits from the group to be welcomed by Etihad Airways this week. Both
employees will attend a three-month training program to change their pilot licence from Airbus A330 and
A320 to Boeing 777 aircraft.
The three-part program, which is conducted in-house at the Etihad
Training Academy in Abu Dhabi, will be attended by 16 pilots from the group who
are changing the aircraft type rating in their licence. It will initially focus
on a corporate induction and specialist training in areas such as aircraft
systems, safety and special operations. This is followed by simulator training
and, finally, line training on Etihad Airways’ aircraft. The remaining 24 recruits
are continuing under their existing type rating and will undertake a shorter
two-month training program in Abu Dhabi.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways,
said: “Etihad Airways will hire hundreds of pilots over the next three years to
keep pace with the rapid expansion of our aircraft fleet and global network. To
help achieve our target, we conducted a roadshow in Italy earlier this year to
present our airline to Alitalia’s pilots, and invited those interested in
joining us to attend interviews and assessments in Rome or Abu Dhabi. The successful
applicants are fully motivated and excited about the unique career development opportunities
ahead, and we are delighted to welcome pilots of their calibre into the Etihad Airways
family.”
Captain De Liddo and First Officer Sala are expected to commence their
line training on Etihad Airways’ aircraft by January 2015 and will have the
opportunity, along with their pilot colleagues on the Boeing 777, to fly across
the airline’s international network, from short-haul services to Saudi Arabia to
ultra-long-haul services to the United States and Australia.
Captain De Liddo said: “There is a real sense of excitement amongst the
pilots that are transferring from Alitalia to Etihad Airways, and we are all united
in our dedication to serving the airline and its passengers to the best of our
ability. In return, Etihad Airways has committed to developing our skills and experience,
and providing us with fast-track career progression opportunities. I am
honoured to be the first captain that has completed the move from Alitalia and
look forward to participating in the three-month training program in Abu Dhabi.”
First Officer Sala said: “Etihad Airways is one of the most respected
airlines in global aviation, so finding out that I was one of the pilots selected
for a transfer was an amazing moment for me, and a matter of great pride for my
family. I am already settling into my new home, Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming
months will provide me with a solid foundation to transition from my Airbus
A320 type rating to Boeing 777, and continue my progression in the coming years.”