Minister for Aviation visits Jet2.com
The Minister for Aviation, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, visited Jet2.com earlier this month to learn more about the company's growth plans and commitment to recruiting and developing people, including a tour of its multi-million pound training facility.
Lord Ahmad (above left) learned more about Jet2's development plans from senior figures within the business including the CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Steve Heapy, Managing Director of Jet2.com Phil Ward (above right) and Commercial Director of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Steve Lee. These plans include the launch of two new UK bases in Spring 2017 (London Stansted and Birmingham) and the addition of 34 brand new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to its fleet.
To support this, Jet2 will employ 7,200 staff during the peak season this summer, a significant increase on 5,200 employees in 2016 and 2,500 just five years ago.
During the visit, Lord Ahmad heard how the company not only plan to recruit staff across many roles but also how it invests in its current workforce, to support this growth and ensure that customers are given best service throughout their journey. This investment includes a multi-million pound state-of-the-art Training Centre in Bradford, which Lord Ahmad saw in operation.
The Centre acts as a fully integrated Flight Simulator and Cabin Safety & Emergency Procedures (SEP) training centre for both flight deck and cabin crew. It houses four full flight Simulators as well as cabin crew trainer units and a high-tech Computer Based Training (CBT) room for pilots.
Lord Ahmad, Aviation Minister, said: “I am delighted to have been able to visit Jet2.com, and particularly to have met the next generation of engineers, pilots and cabin crew at the airline’s dedicated training facility, seeing first-hand what goes in to their award-winning customer services. I welcome the investment they are making, allowing them to expand and grow here in Leeds and across the UK, including at their new bases at London Stansted and Birmingham.”
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “With two new bases about to launch in the UK as well as brand new aircraft and a rapidly expanding team, it is an incredibly exciting time for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays and we were delighted to share our plans with Lord Ahmad. As well as demonstrating our success and commitment to delivering the best experience for our customers, we had a positive and wide-ranging discussion with the Minister about a number of important issues affecting our industry.”