It's true!!
Jet2 and Oxford Aviation seal five-year training deal-04/02/2009-Air Transport Intelligence news
UK budget carrier Jet2 and Oxford Aviation Academy have signed a five-year deal covering simulator and ab initio pilot training.
Under the agreement the academy will relocate a Boeing 737 Classic full-flight simulator to its training centre at Woodford, Manchester. The device is expected to be fully operational from August. Jet2 has six UK bases, including four in northern England, so the simulator move will cut its crew training costs.
Jet2 managing director Ian Doubtfire says: "This will avoid long travelling times for our crews, provides the best possible training conditions and will ensure we maintain our high standards of safety."
The airline has also agreed to source its cadet pilots from the academy's ab initio pilot training programme. Oxford's full-time first officer training programme, which is aimed at airline recruits, includes elements at Oxford Airport in the UK and Goodyear Airport in the USA.
Oxford Aviation Academy emerged from the merger of GE Commercial Aviation Training, SAS Flight Academy, Oxford Aviation Training, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft's training centre and air crew specialist Parc Aviation.
I don't think this will be the last airline exit from CTC to Oxford. The Easyjet deal with CTC is up for renewal within the next 4-5months, and I am told a move to OAA is on the cards.