easyJet has announced that it will recruit more than 450 new pilots.

Positions available range from cadet pilots starting their career, experienced co-pilots from other airlines to direct entry captains and as well as introducing new talent to easyJet, opportunities will also be available for more than 140 of the airline’s current first officers to be promoted to captains.

Of the 450 positions, 400 will be cadet pilots and experienced co-pilots and 50 direct entry captains.

easyJet now flies more than 245 aircraft on over 800 routes in 31 countries and new recruits will join the airline at an exciting time of continued growth.

They will be offered positions across all of easyJet’s 28 European bases and provided access to high quality training and a range of career development opportunities.

Earlier this year easyJet also announced the launch of the Amy Johnson Flying Initiative to help encourage more women to train for a career as a commercial airline pilot.

Currently women make up six per cent of easyJet’s new pilot intake, in line with the industry as a whole.

The airline plans to double this to 12 per cent over the next two years and will offer to underwrite the full training loan of six female new entrant pilots.

Captain Brian Tyrrell, easyJet head of flight operations, said today: “We’re really pleased to have opened recruitment for more than 450 new easyJet pilot positions.

“At easyJet, we pride ourselves on having a team of the highest talent and we offer our pilots a clear career path with the opportunity to develop from First Officer to Captain quicker than at other airlines.

“This is an exciting time to join easyJet as we continue to grow and develop to maintain our position as Europe’s leading airline and I look forward to welcoming the successful applicants in the near future.”

Candidates can apply now.