Which Airlines in Canada Hire Newly-graduated Pilots?

Canada’s aviation industry is distinguished by a Westernized mentality, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and professionalism. This ethos permeates the operational practices of airlines, guided by a stringent regulatory framework set by Transport Canada. The nation’s exemplary aviation safety record attests to the commitment of Canadian airlines to these values.

Pilot compensation in Canada is very competitive, with factors like experience, type ratings, and seniority influencing salaries. Compared to international standards, Canadian pilots often enjoy favorable remuneration, adding to the allure for skilled aviators worldwide. This, coupled with the country’s reputation for safety and welcoming immigration policies, positions Canada as a sought-after destination for aspiring pilots. Airline pilots in major airlines in Canada get paid the same approximately salaries as pilots in the leading Gulf airlines, such as Emirates, Qatar and Etihad.

What do I need to accomplish before I can apply?

Before aspiring pilots can join major airlines like Air Canada, Rouge, or WestJet, a common trajectory involves gaining experience with smaller regional carriers. These airlines, operating regional jets such as the Bombardier CRJ series or turboprop aircraft like the Bombardier Dash 8, provide a stepping stone for beginners. To be eligible for employment with the regional airlines, international pilots need to accomplish the following important steps:

1. Graduate from one of Aerocadet’s integrated flight training and internship programs either for general international students or programs specifically optimized for Indian students. Graduates must have a TCCA CPL with multi-engine and single-engine ratings, and a flight instructor license.
2. Complete the internship as flight instructor on PGWP until graduate achieves at least 500 hours of flight time. After that, it is recommended that graduate transfers to a position where he/she can build further flight time on light turbine airplanes. 
3. Once the graduates achieved at least 1500 hours of total time, apply and received a full, unrestricted TCCA ATPL. Why is this important? Because pilots need to hold ATPL and not CPL if they want to work for scheduled airlines in Canada.
4. Apply for the Canada Experience Class and get approved for PR. You would be advised to work at least for 12 months as intern in Canada before being eligible for the CEC application; and you are recommended to complete at least two years of internship in order to maximize your approval chances. Please note: our integrated FPAP-C program and FPAP-IND program in Canada offer at least two years of internship after the graduation.
5. To increase your airline employment chances, we recommend that you also enroll into a degree program with any of the online universities in the US or Canada. You will be able to earn a full, accredited BSc degree in Aviation in just two years if you already hold an ATPL or CPL with all the ratings, and an instructor license.

Once you have accomplished all or some of the aforementioned steps, nothing should hold you back from getting employment with the starter airlines in Canada. According to the Canadian pilot union regulations, all airlines in Canada offer FREE type-rating for pilots during their initial training. The initial training takes 6-8 weeks, and most airlines offer a minimum guarantee pay of 70-75 hours during the training period. So, not only that you get a free jet type-rating (normally, a jet type ratings costs $18,000-25,000 USD) but also get paid a good salary during your training. Hotels are also normally provided by the airlines near the training center free of charge.

So, which starter airlines are likely to hire a new pilot?

Here’s a snapshot of some regional airlines in Canada that play a crucial role in this initial hiring options for the newly-qualified pilots with a fresh TCCA ATPL:

As the demand for skilled pilots continues to rise, these regional carriers serve as crucial training grounds, contributing to the development of a diverse and proficient pilot community within Canada.

Where do I begin?

Well, if you are not a fully-certified pilot yet, we recommend you start by reviewing important articles on our blog page here >>>

And if you are ready to enroll into one of our integrated programs, please visit our website Aerocadet.com and select the programs you are interested in from the drop-down menu. Confused about the choices? No worries! Aerocadet consultants, who are all experienced aviation professionals, are standing by to answer your questions. Schedule a call-back via Calendly.com/Aerocadet