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British Airways Donates £21 Million to Fund for Aspiring Pilots, Doubling Admissions for Speedbird Pilot Academy
British Airways has established a fund for aspiring pilots, contributing £21 million. Announced at the Farnborough Air Show, the fund will fully cover the training costs for up to 200 applicants to the Speedbird Pilot Academy’s 2025 program, with each individual’s training costing £100,000. This move aims to provide opportunities to those who have hesitated to apply due to financial concerns.
The Speedbird Pilot Academy, which opened in 2023, accepts applications annually. Despite initial capacity for 100 trainees, the number of applicants has soared to 20,000, prompting the academy to increase its 2025 intake to 200 pilots. It takes two years to complete the training and qualify as a co-pilot.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, stated, “I am extremely proud of the Speedbird Pilot Academy and the opportunities it offers to talented individuals who dream of a career as a commercial airline pilot but might find funding their training a challenge. Given the consistently high caliber of applicants, expanding our 2025 class is part of our commitment to attracting the very best candidates from all walks of life, enabling as many people as possible to achieve their dreams.”
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