From students to teachers: 10 airBaltic Pilot Academy graduates turn instructors

airBaltic announced that so far overall 10 graduates from the airBaltic Pilot Academy have joined the academy’s team as theoretical instructors, thereby significantly enhancing its educational personnel. This development mean that 10% of the academy's alumni, who joined the airline as First Officers, have also assumed roles within the academy, thus enriching the study program with their expertise. The new instructors embody the diversity of the Baltic region – all 10 professionals represent Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. 

Pauls Cālītis, Chief Operations Officer of airBaltic, commented: : “Within the dynamic world of aviation, success hinges on exceptional training. airBaltic has always prioritized this, as evidenced by our Pilot Academy's role in shaping skilled professionals. With over 120 students currently advancing their careers with us, it is rewarding to see our graduates return as instructors, sharing their knowledge and fostering the next generation's growth. This cycle of learning and teaching underlines our commitment to excellence and the sustainable development of the aviation industry.”

Kaspars Paršinovs, First Officer and Theoretical Knowledge Instructor, said: “Time flies, perhaps even faster than aircraft. At the end of 2021, I graduated from the airBaltic Pilot Academy and joined the company as a First Officer to fly the impressive Airbus A220-300. This year, I returned to the academy, but in a new role as an instructor. It's an exciting transition, especially since I still recall the excitement and challenges of pilot training. The academy was more than a school to me; it was a home and a source of lifelong friendships. A poster we gifted to the academy encapsulates a message I hold dear: “There is no victory without a fight.” This sentiment resonates not just with aspiring pilots but with anyone embarking on a challenging journey.”

There are 123 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy at the moment. Most of them are from Baltic countries, however, there are students also from other EU countries such as Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain among others. Overall, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female. As for now, 95 students, after graduating, have joined airBaltic.