The Aegean Pilot Scholarship Program is one of the few fully funded ab-initio routes in Europe. Running since 2018 with more than 240 cadets to date, the current cycle offers up to 40 fully funded places per year for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Selected cadets complete integrated training of roughly 18 to 20 months at Egnatia Aviation or Global Aviation, leading to First Officer positions at Aegean or Olympic Air. Eligibility is limited to Greek and Cypriot nationals born after 1 January 1997.
The selection stages
A skills test using the COMPASS pilot aptitude test — the computer-based assessment measuring hand-eye coordination, mathematics, memory, orientation, technical understanding and multitasking.
An oral interview.
Medical examinations, culminating in the EASA Class 1 certificate required for training.
That three-stage outline is the airline's own published description of the process, so treat it as the frame and expect the detail within each stage to evolve between cycles. Timing matters: applications for the 2026 intake closed on 21 December 2025, and with the programme running on an annual cycle the next window is expected in late 2026 — which makes now exactly the right time to prepare. Selection procedures evolve, so always verify the current process and dates on Aegean's own careers site before you apply.