ITA Airways is opening a new path for aspiring pilots, and for many young people in Italy and abroad it may sound like the dream opportunity: train directly through the national airline’s system, follow a structured aviation programme and aim for a future career in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft.
The airline has announced the launch of its Multi Pilot Licence programme, known as MPL, with the goal of training around 280 pilots over the next four years. Candidate selection is expected to begin in July 2026, while the first courses are scheduled to start in October 2026.
But there is one detail that makes the story much more serious: the course reportedly costs around €135,000. That turns the programme into more than a normal job opportunity. It becomes a major financial decision, especially for young candidates, families and international residents who may be considering aviation as a long-term career.
Contents
What Is the ITA Airways MPL Programme?
The Multi Pilot Licence is a training path designed to prepare candidates to operate as first officers on commercial aircraft. Unlike traditional flight training routes, the MPL is built around airline operations from the beginning, with a strong focus on multi-crew work, cockpit procedures, safety management and simulator-based training.
In simple terms, this is not just a generic flying course. It is a structured airline training programme designed around the operational needs of a commercial carrier.
According to ITA Airways, the initiative is part of a wider strategy to build a future pool of trained pilots and manage workforce turnover in the coming years. This matters because the aviation industry is facing long-term demand for qualified pilots, technicians and cabin crew as global air traffic continues to grow.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is aimed at people with no previous flying experience or only limited experience. That is one of the most important parts of the announcement, because it means the course is not reserved only for candidates who already have a long aviation background.
To access the selection process, candidates must meet several basic requirements. They need to be at least 17 years old, hold a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification, have strong knowledge of both Italian and English, and hold the required DLR aptitude certification.
The language requirement is especially important for foreign residents in Italy. A candidate may be attracted by the idea of becoming a pilot through an Italian airline, but the programme requires excellent Italian as well as English. This makes it more realistic for bilingual candidates, long-term residents or people who have already studied or worked in Italy.
How Long Does the Course Last?
The full training path lasts around 21 months. After passing the selection process, medical fitness checks and security checks, successful candidates enter a programme divided into three main phases.
- First phase: around eight months of theoretical training at the ITA Airways Training Centre at Rome Fiumicino Airport.
- Second phase: around seven months of flight training at Rome Urbe Airport.
- Third phase: around six months of simulator training, including advanced Full Flight Simulator work and qualification on Airbus A220 or Airbus A320 aircraft.
This structure shows why the programme is different from a casual flying course. It combines classroom study, real flight activity, simulator training and airline-specific procedures. Candidates are not only learning how to fly, but also how to work inside a modern commercial cockpit.
How Much Does It Cost?
The reported cost of the ITA Airways MPL programme is €135,000. According to the information published about the course, the price includes teaching materials, textbooks, study applications, uniform and flight bag.
This is the part candidates should think about most carefully. A pilot career can be financially attractive in the long term, but the training cost is extremely high. For many families, €135,000 is comparable to a mortgage deposit, several years of university study or a major business investment.
That does not mean the programme is a bad idea. It means it should be treated like a serious investment, not like a simple application form. Anyone considering it should understand financing options, contractual conditions, refund rules, selection risks and what happens if the candidate does not complete the course.
Is a Job Guaranteed?
This is the question every candidate should ask before applying. The programme is clearly connected to ITA Airways’ future pilot needs, but candidates should not assume that paying for training automatically means receiving a guaranteed job under all circumstances.
In airline training programmes, hiring usually depends on several factors: successful completion of the course, medical fitness, operational needs, company growth, fleet planning and regulatory requirements. Before committing to such a large cost, candidates should read the official terms carefully and ask whether employment is guaranteed, conditional or only possible after completion.
This distinction is crucial. A course can be prestigious and still involve risk. The strongest candidates will want written clarity on what the programme offers at each stage.
Why ITA Airways Is Doing This Now
The timing is not random. Airlines around the world are paying more attention to pilot pipelines. After the pandemic, aviation demand recovered strongly in many markets, while airlines also face retirements, training bottlenecks and competition for qualified crew.
Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook tracks long-term global demand for new qualified pilots, technicians and cabin crew based on future fleet growth and aircraft utilisation. That wider context helps explain why airlines are investing more directly in training rather than relying only on the external labour market.
For ITA Airways, creating an internal MPL path can help the airline prepare future cockpit talent with its own procedures, standards and operational culture. It is also a way to make the company more attractive to young candidates who want a defined aviation career path.
Why This Matters for Expats and International Candidates
For expats living in Italy, this programme is interesting but not automatically easy to access. The Italian and English language requirements are a major filter. The cost is another. Candidates may also need to consider residency status, eligibility to study or train in Italy, medical certification and long-term work authorisation.
Still, aviation remains one of the most international career paths in the world. A candidate who trains in Italy, speaks multiple languages and understands European aviation culture may have opportunities beyond one country, especially if they build strong qualifications and complete airline-standard training.
For young foreign residents already settled in Italy, the programme could be worth watching closely. It combines technical training, international mobility and a career path linked to one of the country’s main airlines.
What Candidates Should Check Before Applying
Before applying, candidates should not focus only on the dream of flying. They should also check the practical and financial details of the programme. The most important questions are simple but essential: what exactly is included in the €135,000 cost, what happens if a candidate fails one phase, whether financing is available, whether employment is guaranteed after completion and what contractual obligations exist toward ITA Airways.
They should also check the medical requirements before investing too much time or money. Aviation medical standards can be strict, and a candidate who is academically strong may still face problems if they do not meet the necessary medical fitness criteria.
Finally, candidates should compare the MPL route with other pilot training paths. The MPL can be powerful because it is airline-focused, but it may also be more closely linked to a specific carrier and aircraft environment than some traditional training routes.
The Real Takeaway
The ITA Airways MPL programme is one of the most interesting recruitment stories in Italy’s aviation sector. It gives young candidates a structured way to train for a cockpit career, even without previous flying experience. It also shows that airlines are thinking more seriously about future pilot shortages and long-term workforce planning.
But the opportunity comes with a serious price. At around €135,000, this is not a normal course. It is a life-changing investment that requires careful checks, financial planning and a realistic understanding of the risks.
For the right candidate, the programme could become the beginning of a high-level aviation career. For the wrong candidate, or for someone who enters without understanding the conditions, it could become an expensive mistake. The dream is real, but so is the gamble.
For the original announcement and course details, ITA Airways’ official LinkedIn post on the launch of its MPL pilot training programme explains the timing, requirements and goal of training around 280 pilots. Tgcom24’s report on ITA Airways pilot course requirements, price and stages gives the main practical details. For readers interested in aviation careers, our guide to getting a cabin crew job without experience is a useful related read.
