Aviation

British Airways Launches £21 Million Fund to Train 200 Aspiring Pilots

British Airways will fully-fund up to 200 places on its coveted Speedbird Pilot Academy recruitment programme for 2025
The money provides real opportunity for people who have been put off from applying to become a commercial airline pilot because of the £100k cost of training
British Airways made the announcement at Farnborough International Airshow and is the only airline to offer a fully-funded course at such a significant scale

British Airways has announced a £21 million investment to give up to 200 prospective pilots the chance to follow their dream of flying for a commercial airline without the worry of self-funding the £100,000 cost of training, opening the door to being a pilot to more people than ever before.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy aims to attract the very best talent for the future generation of pilots while boosting social mobility and diversity within the airline’s pilot community. The airline works with community groups to help encourage applicants from people who may have previously been put off from applying due to cost.

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Launched last year and open to applicants annually, the Academy is already training 100 future British Airways pilots who managed to beat off competition from more than 20,000 candidates to have the cost of their tuition paid for by the airline. Funding was in place for an initial 100 places on the 2025 programme, which has now been increased to 200.

It takes two years to complete training and become a qualified First Officer with the airline. British Airways currently employs around 4,000 pilots.

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British Airways made the announcement during the airline’s appearance at Farnborough International Airshow, where it is exhibiting a brand new A320neo aircraft complete with new interiors. The aircraft flew into the show powered by more than 35 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Ryan Street, a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Stockport had dreamed of a career in aviation since he was a young boy. He joined the air cadets at the age of 12, where he rose to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, before beginning work at Manchester Airport for a ground handling company. He held various roles including a ramp loader, an aircraft dispatcher and a load controller before being selected for the Speedbird Pilot Academy.

Aviation

Another Nation Set to Acquire Embraer C-390 Millennium Aircraft

The Slovak Ministry of Defense has taken a significant step toward enhancing its military transport capabilities by signing a Letter of Intent with the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.

This agreement opens doors for deeper industrial cooperation between Slovakia and Brazil, further strengthening their defense ties. During a visit to Brazil, the Slovak Minister of Defense expressed clear support for the embraer C-390 Millennium as the ideal solution for Slovakia’s future military transport needs.

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A key factor in this decision is the advantage of regional synergies with neighboring countries that already operate or have ordered the C-390. These include opportunities for collaboration in training, logistics, and fleet development, promising long-term operational and economic benefits.

Starting in January 2025, Slovakia will initiate formal steps toward acquiring three C-390 aircraft, marking a critical investment in its defense modernization efforts.

The embraer c-390 millennium, a multi-mission airlift platform, is rapidly gaining popularity among European Union and NATO members. With its versatile capabilities, the C-390 is contributing to the modernization of allied armed forces while enhancing interoperability across Europe.

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Countries such as Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic have already included the C-390 in their fleets, while Sweden has recently announced its selection. Beyond Europe, Brazil and South Korea also operate this aircraft, emphasizing its global appeal.

Since its debut with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and subsequent introduction to the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the embraer c390 fleet has demonstrated outstanding performance.

With over 15,500 flight hours logged, the aircraft boasts a mission capability rate of 93% and a mission completion rate exceeding 99%, underscoring its reliability and efficiency in the category.

As Slovakia progresses toward finalizing its acquisition, the Embraer C-390 Millennium is poised to become a cornerstone of its military transport operations, joining a growing roster of nations that recognize its exceptional performance and value.