Finnair and Patria to offer training program for next generation of pilots
Finnair and Patria Pilot Training have signed an agreement for the training of new commercial pilots. According to the agreement, Patria will run a MPL training program (Multi-Crew Pilot License) for Finnair together with the Finnair Flight Academy.
The first training course will already begin at the end of this year, and we aim to open annually three courses, each lasting 18 months. The first part of the course will take place in Patria’s new training center in Tampere-Pirkkala. Patria Pilot Training was previously based out of the Malmi airport.
Those who pass the training course will receive a position from Finnair as an A320 copilot. No aviation experience is required from students to enroll into the program.
“We are very happy to announce this cooperation with Patria. Finnair’s accelerated growth strategy and our growing A350 fleet mean that we will need more pilots during the coming years. The MPL training cooperation with Patria will create a new, alternative training path for aspiring pilots,” says Captain Jari Paajanen, Vice President of Finnair Flight Operations. “Together, these will match our recruitment requirements and ensure quality training for those dreaming of a career as a pilot. Our strategy also offers great possibilities to fly with different Airbus aircraft and career opportunities such as becoming a captain or a trainer.”
“We are very pleased to start training commercial pilots together with Finnair. This is the first MPL training organized in Finland and an essential addition to Patria’s comprehensive pilot training offering. More people will now be able to pursue a career as a pilot,” says Mikko Paronen, Managing Director of Patria Pilot Training. “The new MPL training program is an excellent addition to our training portfolio.”
Finnair Flight Academy will continue to run the Airbus type training at Vantaa.
“The MPL training program offers an excellent entry point to becoming a commercial pilot. The training includes both traditional pilot training and modern simulation technologies. Together, the student will be trained to become part of Finnair’s flight crew and fly Finnair’s A320 range planes as a copilot,” continues Ari Kuutschin, CEO of the Finnair Flight Academy.
Further information:
Finnair Media Desk, +358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com
Mikko Paronen, Managing Director, Patria Pilot Training, tel. +358 40 869 3113, mikko.paronen@patria.fi
Further information:
Finnair Media Desk, +358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com
www.finnair.com, www.finnairgroup.com
www.twitter.com/Finnair
www.facebook.com/finnair
www.instagram.com/feelfinnair
www.youtube.com/finnair
Images: gallery.finnair.com
Finnair blog: blogs.finnair.com
About Finnair
Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with an emphasis on fast connections via Helsinki, carrying more than ten million passengers annually and connecting 17 cities in Asia with more than 60 destinations in Europe. The airline, a pioneer in sustainable flying, is the European launch customer of the next-generation, eco-smart Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and is the first airline listed in the Leadership Index of the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project. The only Nordic carrier with a 4-star Skytrax ranking, Finnair has also won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past seven years running. Finnair is a member of oneworld, the alliance of the world's leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience to frequent international travellers.
About Patria
Patria Pilot Training is a leading European aviation academy that has trained hundreds of commercial pilots since being founded in 1998. Patria Pilot Training uses state-of-the-art training aircraft and flight training equipment. Patria Pilot Training is part of the Patria Group, which is a trusted provider of defence, security and aviation life-cycle support services and technology solutions with 2800 professionals.www.patria.fi, www.patriapilottraining.fi