In an unprecedented move to break gender barriers and outdated stereotypes, airline easyJet has announced a unique Summer Flight School for children ages 7 to 12. The first-of-its-kind initiative aims to inspire the next generation of aviators, offering free Pilot and Cabin Crew training experiences during the summer holidays.
The Summer Flight School, scheduled to start on the 21st of August, is an integral part of easyJet’s strategy to foster greater diversity within the aviation industry. The initiative targets children’s perceptions, particularly as recent research by the airline reveals that 37% of children still believe piloting is exclusively a male profession.
The new program offers hands-on training experiences, where children will have the opportunity to take the controls of an Airbus A320 flight simulator, learn about inflight service to passengers, and interact with real pilots and cabin crew. These interactive sessions are designed to challenge stereotypes and educate young minds about the realities of careers in aviation.
The importance of this initiative becomes evident when considering that only around 6% of pilots worldwide are women. EasyJet’s focus on tackling this gender imbalance has resulted in nearly tripling the number of female pilots in its ranks since 2015.
A recent poll conducted by the airline, involving 2,000 British parents and children, reveals that two-thirds of parents believe there are misconceptions surrounding gender roles in aviation. Interestingly, a positive shift is noted, with 68% of girls surveyed believing both boys and girls could be pilots. Nevertheless, the perceptions are still skewed, with 28% of boys and the same proportion of girls holding exclusive gender beliefs about cabin crew and pilot roles.
Jane Storm, Chief People Officer for easyJet, commented on the initiative, stating, “We’re delighted to be taking families behind the scenes with our Summer Flight School, not only to offer a unique and exciting day out during the school holidays, but also one we hope will inspire the next generation of pilots and cabin crew, showing young people that their aspirations don’t have to be limited by outdated stereotypes and help broaden their horizons.”
EasyJet Training Captain Kate West, who experienced gender biases herself, also emphasized the importance of the program: “At school I was told that being a pilot wasn’t a suitable career option for me, so I know from first-hand experience how important it is to challenge these misconceptions, which we know can start from a young age. Role models and awareness of our jobs as pilots and crew are such an important part of this and so I’m delighted that our Summer School will give children that opportunity this summer – even their first taste of flying an aircraft!”
The majority of primary school children agreed that flying a plane was the most exciting thing they could experience during summer (70%), and half of them confessed that being a pilot or cabin crew would be a dream job.
EasyJet’s Summer Flight School will take place at the airline’s London Gatwick training center, with places available to book for free from Monday, 7th August.
The airline hopes to not only spark a new interest in aviation but also provide a low-cost educational and fun opportunity, aligned with the 92% of parents who value ‘edutainment’ for their family outings.
By leveraging education, hands-on activities, and direct exposure to real-life aviation professionals, easyJet aims to reshape the future of the aviation industry, one child at a time, making a significant stride towards inclusivity and gender balance.
