Article
Aviation Minister visits Jet2.com’s state-of-the-art training centre
Published: Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 14:00
The UK Minister for Aviation, Mike Kane MP, visited Jet2.com at their multi-million-pound training facility near Cheadle yesterday (Tuesday 29th July) to learn more about how the airline is investing in talent to develop careers for life, including making flying accessible for people from all backgrounds.
Minister Kane was shown around the state-of-the-art facility, which provides a bespoke centre of excellence for apprentices, new and current pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground operations colleagues. He met with various colleagues from each of these areas and learned how the centre underpins Jet2’s growth ambitions by training thousands of colleagues every single year.
In addition, Minister Kane was also able to hear more about Jet2.com’s first-ever fully funded pilot training programme, Jet2FlightPath, which launched in May and is giving up to 60 aspiring pilots the opportunity to fly for the award-winning airline without having to self-fund the £100,000-plus cost of flight training.
Jet2FlightPath is open to candidates from all backgrounds (subject to meeting the application criteria), and with funding provided by Jet2.com, the programme aims to boost social mobility and promote diversity within the pilot community. After a selection process including assessments and interviews, successful candidates will be invited to take their place on a fully funded 18-month Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training course in the UK, Spain or United States, with courses starting this year. Upon completion of the ATPL course, trainees will be offered Type Rating training on either an Airbus or Boeing aircraft, before becoming a Jet2.com pilot.
Minister Kane also took a tour of the facility, which houses full and fixed-base flight simulators, cabin crew trainer units, engineering training devices to enact real-life scenarios, high-tech Computer Based Training (CBT) rooms, fully equipped classrooms and briefing rooms.
David Neill, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director at Jet2.com, who hosted Minister Kane said: “We were extremely pleased to welcome the Aviation Minister to our state-of-the-art training centre and demonstrate how we are continuing to invest in delivering an industry-leading operation whilst developing lifelong careers. As well as giving the Minister an in-depth tour of this fantastic facility, we were extremely proud to show our how brand-new and fully funded pilot training programme, Jet2FlightPath, is helping make the dream of flying for a commercial airline become a reality for many, including those who may have thought that the opportunity was beyond their means.”
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said: “It was a real privilege to visit the Jet2 Training Centre and see first-hand the incredible work being done to train the next generation of cabin crew, pilots and engineers. From stepping into the simulator to meeting the talented trainees and experienced engineers, I was hugely impressed by the level of investment, innovation and ambition on display. This facility is not only a testament to the strength of our aviation sector but also to the fantastic career opportunities being created right here in the North West.”
