(BUDAPEST) Wizz Air said it will train 1,200 new pilots by 2028, including 240 based in the UK, in a large-scale expansion tied to the airline’s long-term growth plan. The company’s pilot training drive is open to people changing careers, even those with no prior flying experience. The timeline runs through 2028, and the carrier says the push supports its broader aim to grow its fleet and widen its network across Europe and beyond.
Wizz Air’s announcement lands as airlines rebuild crews, expand schedules, and plan for long-term demand. The company has stated plans to operate up to 500 aircraft and carry over 100 million passengers a year by 2030, a target that makes pilot training and hiring a priority. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the scale of the program reflects a wider trend across European carriers that are planning ahead for cockpit shortages and building internal pipelines from entry-level to the right-hand seat.
Program overview
Wizz Air’s pathway is built around the Wizz Air Pilot Academy, which enrolls applicants from zero flight hours and takes them to a “frozen” Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). The integrated program combines classroom study and flight training that lead to:
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with ATPL theory credit
- Multi Engine Piston (MEP Land)
- Instrument Rating (ME-IR)
- Advanced training modules and airline-specific preparation tied to Wizz Air procedures and aircraft types
Selected candidates complete airline-specific preparation before entering line operations as First Officers.
Key program details
- Selection timeline: About six months from online screening to final decision.
- Assessments: Online aptitude and psychological tests, then in-person group exercises and interviews at Wizz Air’s training center in Budapest.
- Training time: Around 18 months of initial training, followed by 5–6 months of airline-specific training before release as a First Officer.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma, speak fluent English, and have the unrestricted right to live and work in one of Wizz Air’s base countries (including the UK for UK-based recruits).
- Cost and payments: €61,460 total for ab-initio training, with an initial payment of €13,950. The balance is paid in monthly installments over five years after release as First Officer. Loyalty bonuses apply for pilots who remain with Wizz Air for five years.
- Application fee for aptitude test: €130
Selection process (step-by-step)
- Submit an online form and upload ID, school diploma, and resume.
- Pay the €130 fee for the aptitude test.
- Complete online assessments (aptitude and psychological).
- If successful, attend in-person assessments (group exercises and interviews) in Budapest.
- Successful candidates sign training and suretyship agreements and start training with Wizz Air’s partner schools.
Immigration and work-authorization considerations
While Wizz Air welcomes career changers, its requirement for an unrestricted right to live and work in a base country is critical for cross-border applicants.
- For the UK intake (targeted at 240 recruits), candidates must already hold the right to live and work in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 — for example, British citizenship, settled or pre-settled status, or another status granting full work rights.
- The airline does not sponsor entry into the program for those who lack work rights. Candidates without the necessary status must secure it before applying.
- Government work rules vary by country. In the UK, most non-residents who want to work may need a work visa. For official information on routes that can grant work permission for skilled roles, review the UK government page: Skilled Worker visa (gov.uk).
Note: Wizz Air’s pilot training is separate from any immigration application; the company requires that you already have the legal right to work where you will be based.
The location of assessments in Budapest is important for practical planning:
- In-person assessments take place in Hungary, but the eventual role may be in the UK or another base.
- Candidates should plan for travel and any short-stay entry requirements for the assessment stage, then ensure they meet the long-term work rules for the assigned base after training.
Financial considerations and incentives
Wizz Air’s integrated pathway lowers the barrier for people starting with zero flight hours, but cost remains a significant factor:
- Total course cost: €61,460
- Upfront payment: €13,950
- Repayment: Monthly installments over five years after release as a First Officer
- Additional incentives: Loyalty bonuses for pilots who stay with Wizz Air for five years
The installment plan spreads payments and eases early cash pressure, while loyalty bonuses reward retention—an important factor for airlines maintaining stable crews.
Who this suits and timeline expectations
For UK-based candidates, the scheme can open doors to people with English fluency and a high school diploma who want a defined track into commercial flying.
- Typical timeline from application to line flying:
- ~6 months — selection phase (online screening to final decision)
- ~18 months — core integrated training
- ~5–6 months — airline-specific preparation
Total: ~2 years from selection to line flying (depending on assessment date and pipeline capacity)
With the program running to 2028, cohorts will likely start and finish in waves.
Strategic context
Wizz Air’s growth targets provide context for the training drive:
- Aim to operate up to 500 aircraft and carry over 100 million passengers a year by 2030.
- In-house training helps the airline shape cockpit skills, standard operating procedures, and safety culture early.
- Graduates can be matched to bases where demand is highest, reducing recruitment shortfalls.
Wizz Air’s message is clear: pilots will be central to its expansion, and the training structure is designed to bring new people into aviation, not just draw from rival carriers.
What applicants should check before applying
Prospective applicants should confirm three key areas:
- Work rights: Verify you have the unrestricted right to live and work in your desired base country.
- Financing: Plan for the €13,950 upfront payment and the five-year repayment schedule after release as First Officer.
- Commitment: Expect a two-year journey from assessments to line flying, factoring in the 18 months of initial training and 5–6 months of airline-specific preparation.
Wizz Air’s recruitment website lists the application portal, required documents, and the €130 aptitude test fee. The in-person phase in Budapest evaluates leadership, decision-making, and calm under pressure—traits as important as technical skill in the cockpit.
Wizz Air’s plan, with a defined timeline to 2028, a quota of 240 UK positions, and the broader 1,200-pilot target, opens the door for candidates ready to start a demanding but rewarding path into commercial flying.
This Article in a Nutshell
Wizz Air announced a major pilot recruitment and training drive to prepare 1,200 new pilots by 2028, including 240 slated for UK bases. The Wizz Air Pilot Academy accepts candidates with no flight experience and provides an integrated path to a frozen ATPL, CPL, MEP and ME‑IR, followed by airline‑specific training. Selection takes roughly six months with online and in‑person assessments in Budapest. Core training lasts about 18 months plus 5–6 months of airline preparation before entering line operations as First Officers. The program costs €61,460, requires €13,950 upfront and features monthly repayments over five years post‑release; applicants must have unrestricted work rights in their assigned base.
