Iberia has opened the sixth edition of its Iberia Cadetes programme, continuing its long-standing partnership with FTEJerez to recruit and train new-generation airline pilots. Announced on February 23, 2026, the programme offers aspiring pilots without prior flight experience a structured ATPL training pathway with 50% of the cost financed interest-free by the airline.
Programme Structure
Selected cadets train at FTEJerez's campus in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, following the academy's Airline First Officer Programme (AFOP) — an integrated ATPL course. Iberia finances approximately 50% of the total training cost, interest-free. Cadets repay the airline's contribution from their net wages after completing an A320 type rating and joining the Iberia Group as pilots.
Iberia actively monitors each cadet's progress throughout training. In February 2026, a delegation including Iberia's Fleet Manager and Head of Training visited FTEJerez to meet with current cadets and review their development. This oversight aligns training standards with the airline's operational requirements from day one.
Entry Requirements
The Iberia Cadetes programme has stricter entry requirements than most European cadet schemes. Candidates must hold a completed university degree (TFG approved at the time of application), have European nationality or a permanent work permit in Spain, no criminal record, and accredited English at a minimum B2 level. Non-Spanish speakers must demonstrate C2 Spanish proficiency.
Additional requirements include height between 157 cm and 191 cm, and candidates must not have previously sat for any ATPL exams. The degree requirement — uncommon among European cadet programmes — reflects Iberia's preference for candidates with demonstrated academic ability.
Track Record
Since its launch in 2017, the Iberia Cadetes programme has produced 51 pilots who have been integrated into the Iberia Group. The programme has grown from selecting 8–12 cadets per edition to becoming a core part of the airline's pilot recruitment strategy. Iberia's Production Director, Ramiro Sequeira, described the programme as a commitment to training talent aligned with the airline's highest operational standards.
How This Compares
Among European cadet programmes, Iberia's 50% financing model sits between fully funded schemes (British Airways Speedbird, Air France ENAC, Jet2 FlightPath) and largely self-funded routes (Ryanair, easyJet). The interest-free structure and guaranteed Iberia Group employment make it financially attractive — particularly compared to the €129,500 full price of FTEJerez's AFOP course, which candidates would otherwise need to fund entirely themselves.
Application Status
Applications for the 6th edition were accepted until early March 2026 through Iberia's employment website. The programme typically runs one intake per year, so candidates who missed this window should monitor the FTEJerez Iberia page for future announcements.
For a comparison of all European cadet programmes — including fully funded, partially funded, and self-funded routes — see our Cadet Pilot Programs 2026 Guide. For Iberia-specific interview preparation, see our Iberia Pilot Interview Guide.
