Airlines

British Airways Launches Fully-Funded Pilot Training Program for 60 Applicants

Commercial airline pilot scheme covering the £100,000 cost* of training 60 recruits is now open to applicants
Scheme will level the playing field in pilot recruitment and removes the biggest factor that gets in the way of people pursuing their dreams
British Airways will work with local groups to boost applicants from communities up and down the country

A new British Airways programme that will see the carrier fully cover the $100,000 cost of prospective pilots’ training is now accepting applications from interested parties.

With its Speedbird Pilot Academy project, the national flag carrier will help level the playing field and make a career in aviation a viable option for everyone by removing the previously prohibitive cost barrier to training to be an airline pilot for up to 60 successful candidates a year. People from all communities will be encouraged to apply, it is hoped, by eliminating the expensive fees of pilot training from the applicant.

Delta now hiring more than 1,000 flight attendants.!(Opens in a new browser tab)

It is the only airline programme that covers all associated fees for successful applicants during their 16-month training term, and it also covers housing and food expenses.

The airline’s careers website now accepts applications for the programme, and those interested are urged to do so as soon as possible because the application period will expire in seven days due to the anticipated, unprecedented demand. Early in the next year, training will start, and after passing the programme, applicants will be hired by the airline as full-time, salaried pilots.

Frontier Airlines Hiring Candidates With No Flight Experience(Opens in a new browser tab)

British Airways is collaborating with Fantasy Wings, the leading UK organization for aviation diversity and a member of the BA Better World Community Fund, to promote the scheme to young people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as well as other communities across the country and young women in the aviation industry.

More information can be found, and applications made, on British Airways’ careers site
*Private training costs for aspiring pilots can cost around £100,000

Airlines

Federal Court Imposes $100M Fine on Qantas for “Ghost Flights” Scandal

In a major ruling, the Federal Court has confirmed a hefty A$100 million penalty against Qantas for its involvement in the “ghost flights” scandal. As reported by FlightGlobal.

The court found that Qantas misled consumers by offering and selling tickets for flights that the airline had already decided to cancel. Adding to the controversy, Qantas failed to promptly notify ticket holders about these cancellations.

The penalty follows Qantas’ admission of violating the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The airline agreed with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the penalty amount, aiming to deter Qantas and other businesses from similar breaches in the future.

Embraer Opens Applications for 2025 Software and Data Science Training Initiative

The ACCC emphasized that this substantial fine sends a clear message: misleading customers will lead to serious consequences, regardless of a company’s size. In addition to the penalty, Qantas has committed to paying approximately A$20 million to affected passengers who unknowingly purchased tickets for canceled flights.

This compensation comes on top of any refunds or alternative flight arrangements already provided. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb praised the penalty, underscoring the importance of robust compliance programs red energy qantas in large corporations like Qantas.

She pointed out that Qantas has since made changes to its operating and scheduling procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.