THE SITUATION...

SunExpress ordered 50 new B737 aircraft in 2014, with 18 of them having already been delivered. As the airline was waiting to receive the rest of its aircraft, it needed to find Type-Rated and Non-Type-Rated B737 pilots to join them on a permanent basis.  Recognising how time consuming the pilot recruitment and assessment process can be, SunExpress decided to turn to experienced aviation recruitment agency, AeroProfessional, in order to make the process easier and faster for them.

AeroProfessional is a reputable recruitment consultancy specialising in aviation recruitment. Over the years, it has successfully built a vast candidate network, comprising over 30,000 aviation professionals, including pilots, cabin crew, and aircraft engineers. SunExpress saw great value in AeroProfessional's extensive experience and candidate connections which includes some of the industry’s most highly skilled and experienced B737 pilots.

In Autumn 2023, SunExpress partnered with AeroProfessional to recruit Type-Rated and Non-Type-Rated B737 pilots, all of whom would be required to permanently relocate for the role. With that in mind, AeroProfessional soon began devising a tailored marketing strategy to attract the right candidates and fulfil SunExpress’s recruitment needs. The search and selection process was carefully planned to ensure that the applicants understood all the requirements.

THE SOLUTION...

AeroProfessional conducted a number of SunExpress branded marketing campaigns through its bespoke client portal, separately targeting Type-Rated and Non-Type-Rated B737 Captains, as well as those who were open to relocation. The airline was involved throughout the process for co-monitoring the results and the candidate interest that the campaigns generated.

AeroProfessional targeted Non-Type rated candidates based on set criteria that included total jet time, and time on aircraft above a certain maximum take-off weight. The campaign combined access to their internal database, alongside their wider candidate network, allowing direct candidate contact with over 100,000 European pilots.

Due to the positions requiring relocation, AeroProfessional ran specific marketing campaigns aimed at boosting interest in the location, as well as creating a briefing pack with further information about the location for interested candidates. The briefing pack’s purpose was to counteract any misconceptions about relocating overseas.