Cargolux begins training 100 new pilots

Wasting no time following its hard-won negotiations with its labor unions, Cargolux Airlines has taken steps to follow through on one of its promises to hiring 100 new pilots in Luxembourg. On Dec. 17, the all-cargo carrier revealed that it had already chosen 52 candidates who will begin a seven-month training process.

According to Cargolux’s schedule, the carrier will train an average of eight pilot candidates per month from January to July 2016. Next, it will begin training the remaining 48 candidates between July and December of next year. Cargolux also noted that positions for the final 48 pilot trainees are still open and will most likely be filled between February and April of 2016. The training courses will likely be completed for all 100 pilot candidates by September 2016.

Cargolux said “a great number of applications” have already been received for the limited pilot positions available for entrant First Officers. By the time the training is through, 170 Cargolux students will acquire either a promotion or a new type rating on the airline’s 747 freighters, said the Cargolux Crew Training Department. “This represents the biggest ever volume of training in the history of the company,” the airline said. “To cope with the workload, Cargolux also looks to appoint additional instructors and trainers.”

The plan to hire new pilots was announced during the negotiations over the new collective work agreement (CWA) that was agreed to on Dec. 16, with the blessing of the OGBL, CLSC and LCGB unions, which praised the training planning, saying it would help promote roster stability and a better work-life balance for pilots. The CWA also offers various perks and upgrades for Cargolux’s current crew population.

LCGB President Patrick Dury said the addition of the new pilots “marks a strong sign in guaranteeing growth in Luxembourg and reinforcing Luxembourg as a logistics hub.” He also added that it will help preventing fatigue of existing Cargolux pilots, “which is an important step for enhancing the safety of flight operations.”

“The so-called Luxembourgish model will continue to exist,” said Hubert Hollerich, central secretary of OGBL. “This CWA is a win-win situation for everybody and especially a gain for the social dialogue and democracy.”