Low-cost popular carrier easyJet has launched a new Europe-wide campaign to tackle stereotypes within the aviation industry and encourage more young people to consider a career in aviation, with a particular focus on encouraging girls to become pilots.
A Hollywood style recruitment drive
In tribute to the long-awaited sequel to the 80s classic, easyJet created a parody film (filmed at the carrier’s headquarters London Luton Airport) entitled ‘Calling All Mavericks! easyJet takes on Top Gun’ and sees the children of easyJet staff recreate Top Gun scenes to champion diversity. The film was released ahead of Top Gun 2, which features a female pilot for the first time.
easyJet’s parody recreated some of Top Gun’s most iconic moments such as Tom Cruise’s motorbike scene and the infamous ‘it’s time to buzz the tower’ scene.
By reshooting these classic scenes, the carrier hopes that they can correct stereotypes of jobs in the aviation industry either perpetuated or worsened by Hollywood films and TV.
This is supported by the research conducted by easyJet. It revealed that most Britons believe that gender stereotypes within Hollywood films limit children’s job aspirations. Overall, the carrier wants to encourage underrepresented groups to consider a career in aviation – particularly in roles such as engineers, operations, pilots, and more.
The role of a pilot is still the most stereotype-ridden career in aviation. Misconceptions that being a pilot is a job for men are staggeringly high and still need a lot of attention.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet’s CEO, explained why the carrier chose Top Gun:
“Top Gun is one of the most famous aviation films of all time. So, we wanted to create our own rendition of the movie that was both entertaining and inspiring to a younger audience, to show young people that they don’t have to be limited by outdated stereotypes of jobs in the industry.”
He continued, explaining why championing improved diversity in the aviation sector is important to easyJet:
“easyJet has long championed greater diversity across our business and the industry, and while we have made important progress in areas like our pilot community, there is still work to do. Increasing diversity in all of its forms across our airline and creating an inclusive environment where people can be themselves at work is incredibly important to us and is a long-term focus for easyJet, so we will continue to ensure we lead the industry on this issue.”
Elsewhere, easyJet’s recruitment drive is motivated by increasing demand and traffic. The carrier expects to be flying at levels close to pre-pandemic levels over the summer season. So the carrier has the future in its sights – having reopened its pilot training programme and advertising for new employees, upscaling and training for the future is important.
Have you seen easyJet’s Top Gun parody? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
