Yes that is the point Alex. Ryanair are looking for 1,000 pilots this year, according to the latest media reports. Maybe 20 to 25% of their ops are in the U.K.? So proportionally they must be looking for 200 or so U.K. nationals, since the U.K. labour market is ringfenced from anyone from the EU unless they have pre-settled status.
All of these applicants would need an EASA licence to even apply.
What is the situation with TUI and EZY? They also have operations in the EU. Do they also require an EASA licence?
the U.K. has kept the EASA system, with all its problems, yet it is not recognised by EASA. Conversely the U.K. will recognise in the other direction, at least until the end of 2022.
I would suggest that have spent a large chunk of money getting qualified, the only real return is a job with an airline. Instructing, air taxi etc are too insecure and poorly paid to provide such a return. Doing so to end up in Africa and Asia ? Hmmm…. Would a Gap year be a cheaper way to do this?
Maintains two versions of the same thing is stupid. At least the CAA could drastically slim down the mass of theory trivia, and adapt ICAO standards for IR duration, for example. And not allow “integrated” courses where all theory is taken first and then all the flying, if there is no reciprocal recognition by EASA. Which there will never be.