SmartLynx Airlines, an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) provider is investing in its current generation of pilots. The company, which also supports leading airlines with cargo operations and charter services, commenced a new internal program for first officers.
According to the organization, the six-week program will allow pilots to move up in their careers faster than other airlines. More than 30 first officers will participate in the program on Airbus family aircraft.
New and beneficial
SmartLynx Group’s Director of Flight Operations, Lasse Bay Hansen, said the program would provide several opportunities for first officers.
“This internal program is designed to provide pilots with a clear career path that will allow them to advance from first officer to captain, line training captain, and ultimately to type rating instructor and examiner. The program is a significant investment in pilots and their job satisfaction, and we are confident that it will bring several benefits for the individual and the airline, including increased retention and recruitment of top talent and improved operational efficiency.” – Lasse Bay Hansen, SmartLynx Group Director of Flight Operations
The organization operates flights worldwide utilizing a fleet of Airbus A320, A321, A321F, A330, and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Since January 26th, 22 candidates have been going through the upgrade program in Milan on the A320 and an additional 10 on the A330. Two additional courses with a capacity of up to 10 candidates are expected to take place in March and April.
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock
A program not like any other
With a diverse fleet, SmartLynx can offer first officers a program with shorter or longer-range flights, whether cargo or passenger. According to Hansen, most airlines do not provide that type of variety in pilot programs.
“Not many airlines offer pilots both short-haul and long-haul operations; thus, this is a quite unique opportunity for pilots,” Hansen said. “SmartLynx operates both passenger and freighter aircraft giving pilots an interesting and rewarding experience that is not that common in the industry.”
Throughout the upgrade, pilots will take many courses, including ground, simulator, and line training. A special committee will evaluate the candidates using a combination of performance data from simulator sessions and recommendations from instructors and fleet chief pilots, according to the airline.
Additionally, the program offers at least 10 A320 pilots the opportunity to obtain cross-cockpit qualification to ensure they can operate on the larger A330. The course is estimated to take up to 45 days.
SmartLynx Group said it is committed to continuously improving and refining the program in the future by evaluating results, implementing new strategies, and making necessary improvements.
Photo: SmartLynx Airlines
Primarily ACMI
Airlines can lean on ACMI operators such as SmartLynx for temporary assistance during times of need. ACMI arrangements across Europe became more frequent over the past few years as airlines struggled to deliver on their schedules due to the long-term effects of the pandemic.
Most of SmartLynx’s operation is ACMI services, which accounted for around 75% last summer. The remainder of its flights are split up into charter services which take up about 15%, and cargo, taking up 10%.
By this summer, SmartLynx’s fleet planning reportedly foresees up to 65 passengers and cargo aircraft operating globally on short, medium, and long-haul routes.