On Wednesday (11 December), Jet2 revealed it has, to date, appointed more than 120 former Thomas Cook employees, including more than 50 pilots, 20 engineers and nearly 40 cabin crew.
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays plans to take on another 50 former Cook pilots by March next year, growing its roster of ex-Cook pilots to more than 100.
The prospective new starters have accepted traineeships with Jet2 and will join the company in time for summer 2020, subject to successfully completing passing their training.
Following Cook’s collapse on 23 September, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have hosted several dedicated recruitment roadshows targeting Cook staff suddenly facing the prospect of unemployment.
Events have been held in Manchester, where Thomas Cook Airlines was based; in Peterborough, home to Cook’s UK HQ; and at Jet2’s Birmingham and Stansted airport bases, as well as overseas.
Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “We moved very quickly to help people during a difficult time, and we are delighted to appoint talented colleagues and welcome them to our team.
“We have focused specifically on hiring individuals who share our value of delivering a VIP customer service. With an ever-growing programme, and with new destinations and more aircraft being added to our fleet, it is a very exciting time for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.
“We expect to recruit even more ex-Thomas Cook employees and look forward to welcoming them in the near future, as our company continues to grow.”
Jet2.com hopes to employ a further 50 pilots by the end of February next year, taking total recruitment of ex-Cook pilots to more than 100.
More than 20 ex-Cook engineers have also now accepted roles with Jet2.com and the carrier is looking to fill another 50 engineering posts.
In addition, almost 40 ex-Cook cabin crew have been offered training with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, with 20 roles already having been made available at Manchester airport alone.
Meanwhile, at its Leeds HQ, Jet2 has offered contract manager, overseas operations trainer and business analyst roles to former Cook employees.
