The Sky’s the Limit: Launching the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship

• New accelerated pathway to becoming a pilot for Air New Zealand
• 30 Kiwis to be selected for cadetship and will commence training from September 2024
• Expression of Interest launched to identify New Zealand-based flight training organisations that can deliver the cadetship long-term in Aotearoa

Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship

The sky’s the limit for aspiring Kiwi aviators with the launch of Air New Zealand’s first-ever Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship. Designed to inspire more individuals to pursue a career as a pilot by reducing financial barriers, this cadetship complements existing pilot pathways, ensuring we can continue to meet future demand and avoid possible pilot shortages.

Launching and open for applications, the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship is an all-inclusive training programme that accelerates the journey to becoming a commercial pilot from the typical 24-36 months to approximately 14 months. 

With an initial commitment of 30 pilots, successfully selected cadets will commence training in small cohorts from September 2024, with the majority of costs, including training and living expenses, funded by Air New Zealand (subject to conditions).

To quickly establish the cadetship, cadets will initially train overseas using existing capacity while Air New Zealand conducts a procurement process to identify a long-term domestic training provider.

Cadets will be predominantly based in Arizona, where they will learn to fly single and multi-engine planes. They will then travel to Dubai to complete simulator sessions, becoming type-rated to fly ATR72-600 aircraft. Once qualified, successful cadets will have a pathway to employment as an Air New Zealand pilot.

Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan says looking at both short and longer-term solutions to training pilots is crucial to ensure the airline can meet future travel demand.

Applications for the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship are open now until 8 July. Full details, including the eligibility criteria, can be found on our website.

Expression of Interest for Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship Training Provider

Air New Zealand is also launching an Expression of Interest (EOI) to find a training organisation in New Zealand to deliver a fully integrated airline pilot training cadetship, fully aligned with Air New Zealand turboprop aircraft operations.

Captain Morgan explains that the aviation industry in New Zealand currently operates a traditional pilot training system where, pilots are recruited once they have gained the requisite after graduating from flight training providers and then become type-rated before a four-month period of training with Air New Zealand. While it has served the industry well, adaptation is now needed to ensure that New Zealand has the supply of high-quality pilots it needs for a successful airline industry in the future.

Through the EOI process, Air New Zealand aims to find a training provider that can deliver a fully immersive experience for cadets, fast-tracking their pilot training. This cadetship is designed to supplement the existing pilot recruitment programme and Air New Zealand will also continue to recruit pilots who come through traditional pathways.

Note to editors: You can find a hero video and images here.

• Applications for the Air New Zealand Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship are open until 8 July 2024.

• Full details, including eligibility requirements, assessment and selection process and cadetship outline can all be found on the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship website. 

• The Air New Zealand Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship is only open to New Zealand citizens        

• Those interested in learning more about the Expression of Interest will need to register as a new supplier here

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 7.3 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. Pre-Covid, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week. Air New Zealand was recently named the World’s Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety. Last year, Air New Zealand won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand – 8th year in a row.

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework  helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand’s and the world’s most complex challenges. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Star Alliance

Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries.