Jobless pilots swapping wings for railway tracks

Its managing director, Peter Lensink, said he was pleased to be able to offer employment to pilots, whose skills were ideal for driving trains.

“I really feel for the pilots who are in this position and I’m really pleased we have an alternative and hope they will adapt to driving a train on a piece of metal instead of flying free up in the air,” he said.

“We only hire highly skilled people and airline pilots have got similarities to the skills and competencies required as a train driver.”

Lensink said both the airline and rail sectors have a strong safety culture and required specific skills including concentration.