3 July 2025
Ryanair has today launched its Future Flyer Academy pilot training programme in partnership with UK-based flight school, Skyborne Airline Academy.
The programme will train more than 400 pilots who will join the airline group as Second Officers over the next four years.
For several years, Skyborne has been training pilots to a standard where they can complete their Type Rating course. Through Ryanair’s new Future Flyer Academy programme, this initial training is combined with the Type Rating qualification to fast-track pilot training.
Coinciding with the launch, Skyborne has also obtained approval to offer a dual UK CAA and EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
Ryanair launch: L-R (standing): Carrie Stringer, Sales Manager, Skyborne; Dara Gray, Pilot Production Manager, Ryanair; Dan Earley, Pilot Production Manager, Ryanair; Paul Kelly, Head of Crew Training, Ryanair; Angelo Currao, Pilot Recruitment Manager, Ryanair; Steve Gibson, Deputy Head of Training, Ryanair; Vicky Harriss, Head of Operational Delivery, Skyborne; Chris Sandey, Group Finance Director, Skyborne; Mark Duffy, Director of Talent, Ryanair. (Sitting) Carla Booth, commercial director, Skyborne; Conor Gillardy, Deputy Director, Flight Operations Control, Ryanair. Photo: Skyborne
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 hundreds 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.”
Skyborne’s hangar and Diamond DA42 at Gloucestershire Airport. Photo: Skyborne
Lee Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of Skyborne, added, “Having secured EASA approval to support this initiative, this is the first time Skyborne is offering UK trainees the opportunity to gain a dual UK CAA and EASA licence.
“This collaboration underscores the growing demand for streamlined pathways to the flight deck and the exceptional quality of our airline cadet programmes, which consistently produce highly skilled and well-prepared individuals.”
Prospective trainees will have the option to select an ab-initio, Modular, or Airline Pilot Standard Multi-Crew Cooperation Course (APS MCC) route.
Applications for Ryanair’s Future Flyer Academy with Skyborne are open now. Click here for more information and to apply.
