British Airways Expands Speedbird Pilot Academy Initiative Amidst Overwhelming Response
(IN SHORT) British Airways announces the launch of the second year of its fully funded Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet scheme, following an unprecedented response to its inaugural intake. With over 20,000 applications received for just 100 places in its first year, the initiative forms part of the airline’s £7 billion investment to democratize the path to a career as a commercial airline pilot. Removing the financial barrier associated with pilot training, the academy aims to make this career option accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Director of Flight Operations, Simon Cheadle, expresses pride in providing opportunities for aspiring pilots and emphasizes the airline’s commitment to attracting top talent. Candidates can apply for up to 100 places, with the airline covering the approximate £100,000 training cost entirely, beginning April 16, 2024, through the British Airways careers site.
(PRESS RELEASE) London, UK, 2024-Apr-11 — /Travel PR News/ — The airline is opening the application window for the second year of its fully funded Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet scheme on Tuesday April 16, 2024. This follows an unprecedented response to its first year intake which saw more than 20,000 applications for just 100 places.
The Speedbird Pilot Academy initiative, part of the airline’s £7 billion investment across the business, is aimed at levelling the playing field and making a career as a commercial airline pilot a realistic option for all, by removing the previously prohibitive cost barrier of individuals having to pay for their training themselves.
British Airways’ Director of Flight Operations Simon Cheadle, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be able to open the door to a flying career to more people through this programme.
“We know from the overwhelming response and high standard of applications we had in the first year of Speedbird Pilot Academy, that there are a lot of talented people who just need a little bit of help to achieve their dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot – and we are pleased to give them that opportunity.
“We want to continue to attract the very best flying talent and our investment in this programme will help to ensure our future generation of pilots for years to come.”
Candidates will be able to apply for up to 100 places on the programme – that will see the approximate £100,000 cost of their training covered entirely by the airline – through the British Airways careers site from April 16, 2024.
About British Airways
As a global airline and the UK’s flag carrier, British Airways has been flying its customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, operating one of the most extensive international scheduled airline route networks together with its joint business, codeshare and franchise partners.
In September 2021, British Airways launched its sustainability programme, BA Better World, committing to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does and with a clear roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. British Airways is a founding member of the airline alliance oneworld, which serves around 1,000 destinations across the globe.
British Airways flies to destinations in more than 75 countries. Its principal place of business is London, with its main home at Heathrow Terminal 5.
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SOURCE: British Airways
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