merrion street

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar and the chief executive of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) Eamon Brennan met today with representatives of the self-funded trainee pilots from Pilot Training College Waterford (PTCW) in the headquarters of the IAA.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Varadkar said:

“I met with the representatives of the self-funded trainee pilots this morning for more than an hour, along with the IAA.

“I have huge sympathy for the situation in which the trainees and their families find themselves, and I have made a commitment to continue to engage with them.

“The IAA is currently organising one-on-one meetings with the students to advise them on their career options. The IAA will also engage with the examiner appointed to PTCW in an attempt to find out why the company ran into financial difficulty, and what happened to the fees handed over by the trainees.

“We have already agreed to cover the cost of the trainee pilots in returning to Ireland, including those who have not yet returned. I also confirmed that I am considering the introduction of a bonding scheme for pilot training courses in the future.

“Regrettably I had to inform the group once again that neither the Government, nor the IAA, would be able to compensate them for the monies lost and have no liability in this regard.”