Ryanair starts hiring spree for 2,000 pilots for post-Covid growth

The carrier will start training new hires this year, aiming to have crews ready for next summer

Last year, at the height of the pandemic, Ryanair reached a deal with its pilot and cabin crew unions to cut pay in order to stave off 3,000 job cuts. File Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins Dublin

Ryanair is starting one of the biggest recruitment drives among European airlines, aiming to add 2,000 pilots over the next three years as the carrier plans to grab market share from rivals weakened by the pandemic.

Europe’s biggest discount carrier needs pilots to fly its new Boeing 737 Max jets, which it began taking last month, Ryanair said.