Double celebrations: easyJet marks Captain's last flight before retirement as it touches down after helping more than 100 people overcome their fear of flying

easyJet, Europe's leading airline, jointly celebrated the last flight of one of its long-standing Captains before retirement, at the same time as helping over 100 local people overcome their fear of flying on its renowned Fearless Flyer course.

On arrival into London Stansted on Sunday, easyJet flight EZY3101 - a dedicated flight for the airline's Fearless Flyer course participants and which was flown by Captain Peter West as his last easyJet flight - was greeted by a surprise water arch salute by the airport fire brigade, a traditional way of marking milestones and achievements in the aviation industry.

It was Captain West's last flight before retiring after 44 years of distinguished flying having started with the RAF in 1972 and the last 14 years being with easyJet. Within that time he has also played an instrumental role in presenting easyJet's Fearless Flyer courses helping to change the lives of thousands of people - some who had never flown before - by reassuring and informing the participants, explaining how the aircraft works and answering their questions.

Captain Pete West commented:

'Sunday marked the end of a long and happy career for me as a pilot. I have had many and varied experiences in that time. I have seen easyJet grow from a small and upcoming airline to a major player in the world of travel and it has been a privilege to have been part of it. In the last few years I have been grateful for the opportunity to help those people who have a fear of flying come to terms with something I have loved doing for so many years.

'I was overjoyed that everybody entered into the spirit of things at Stansted and I was particularly happy that my wife, Ali, was on the flight as well. I would like to acknowledge my gratitude to all those who made it such a special day for me.'

Ken Tansley, 76, from Royston, Hertfordshire, who was a participant on the course said:

'This is my first flight in over 10 years and I loved every minute of it. I have never felt so relaxed. In the past I used to rely on prescribed medication to try and keep me calm in the air but that never really helped which is why I eventually stopped flying. But this course has been amazing. I felt totally unstressed today which now means that I can enjoy visiting my partner's holiday home in southern Spain by plane rather than spending half the time of the trip getting there and back by car. Thank you Captain Pete and thank you easyJet Fearless Flyer'.

Mark Wein, Director of FOF Events which run easyJet's Fearless Flyer courses said:

'This is a weekend of mixed emotions for the Fearless Flyer Team. Having experienced the joy of seeing this weekend's participants take to the sky fearlessly on the Experience Flight, with many of those flying for the first time or after many years of avoiding air travel, we are really sad to be saying goodbye to Captain Pete West from the team. In the past 4 years we have run 50 courses and cured over 3,500 people and Pete has been a core part of that process. At the end of each course he receives numerous requests to join our participants on holiday as they all love his enthusiasm for flying so perhaps now, in his retirement, he will have the time to take up some of those offers! The whole team wishes him every happiness in his retirement and there are thousands of people who will be forever in his debt for helping them to fly fearlessly.'

easyJet's Fearless Flyer course is a two-day course, run by phobia expert Lawrence Leyton and a senior easyJet pilot, who together explain how an aircraft works, dispel common flying myths and teach participants a unique set of 'mind tools' to manage their fear.

The following day participants put the skills they've learnt to the test and travel onboard a special easyJet flight, which includes a full commentary in the air from the presenting pilot. The course has helped more than 3500 people to overcome their fears since launching just four years ago.

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