Leading Edge Aviation is thrilled to announce an innovative pilot recruitment partnership with TUI Airline to launch a groundbreaking tagging scheme designed to provide student pilots with a clear, structured pathway to employment through conditional job offers.
Leading Edge Aviation, a trailblazer in flight training, is the first UK-based academy to collaborate with TUI on this pioneering tagging scheme, offering students an exciting new route into the aviation industry.
Through this scheme, TUI will identify talented student pilots at Leading Edge by assessing their performance through interviews, evaluations, and theoretical examinations. The airline’s UK pilot recruitment team will conduct testing and interviews to select students who demonstrate exceptional potential. Once “tagged,” these students will receive a conditional employment offer from TUI, contingent upon meeting specific milestones throughout their training.
Kathryn Cleaver, TUI Pilot Manager commented:
“This initiative allows us to identify and nurture top talent early in their training, giving students the confidence and clarity they need to transition into professional flying careers. Leading Edge students are known for their exceptional dedication and potential, and we are excited to offer them the opportunity to launch their careers with TUI. We are committed to the development of graduate pilots, and we look forward to welcoming our first candidates in the summer of 2026.”
Andy McFarlane, CEO of Leading Edge Aviation said:
“At Leading Edge, we are passionate about providing our students with the best possible foundation for a long and successful career in aviation. Our partnership with TUI aligns with our ‘Whole Pilot’ training philosophy and reflects our mutual commitment to supporting the next generation of pilots through structured career pathways. This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity for our students to begin their careers with a globally respected airline.”
This TUI pilot recruitment partnership underscores the shared goal of TUI and Leading Edge to cultivate new talent in the aviation sector and address the industry’s growing need for skilled pilots.
The tagging scheme offers aspiring pilots the assurance that their dedication and hard work will lead to clear career opportunities with one of the world’s most respected airlines.


Pictured above: TUI Pilot Manager Kathryn Cleaver, Head of Pilot Management & TUI Captain Mark Howarth and Leading Edge Alumni and TUI Second Officer Ashleigh Saunders presenting to the Leading Edge students during their visit to the Leading Edge Aviation Oxford Campus.