British Airways has announced a £21 million investment to expand its Speedbird Pilot Academy, offering fully-funded pilot training to up to 200 aspiring aviators for its 2025 program. The initiative, revealed at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 23, 2024, aims to remove financial barriers and increase diversity in the airline’s pilot community.
The program, which typically costs £100,000 per trainee, will now cover expenses for twice as many candidates as initially planned. This expansion builds on the success of the academy’s launch last year, which saw 100 trainees selected from over 20,000 applicants.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said, “I’m incredibly proud of the Speedbird Pilot Academy and the opportunity it provides to those talented individuals who have held a lifetime ambition of becoming a commercial airline pilot, but have perhaps found it difficult to independently fund their training.”
The airline reports working with community groups to encourage applications from individuals who may have previously been deterred by the high costs associated with pilot training. The two-year program leads to qualification as a First Officer with British Airways, which currently employs approximately 4,000 pilots.
Ryan Street, a cadet from Stockport, shared his experience: “Without the assistance British Airways provided with this cadetship, I might not have ever been able to afford the current training costs, so I am thankful to them that they are able to provide this wonderful opportunity for those that might never have been able to get this far.”
Another cadet, Melanie Odden from Hertfordshire, highlighted the program’s impact on her career transition and family life. “When British Airways announced that they would be providing funded spaces for students on their Speedbird Academy I had to apply. I never thought I would become one of the lucky few,” Odden said.
The announcement comes as part of British Airways’ efforts to attract diverse talent and address the estimated £100,000 cost barrier to becoming a commercial airline pilot. The airline states that this investment opens doors to more people than ever before in the aviation industry.
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