British Airways Funds Flying Lessons for 200 More Students in UK

British Airways will next year fund flying lessons for 200 students across the UK, helping to inspire a new generation to reach for the skies.

The investment follows a trial of the programme this year in partnership with The Air League Trust, when in celebration of its centenary, the airline funded lessons for students who would not normally be able to enjoy this experience at Booker Aviation Flying School in High Wycombe.

After the scheme’s success, the airline has committed to fund 200 further flying lessons in 2020 and will expand the opportunity across numerous flying schools throughout the UK, ensuring the initiative reaches an even broader range of young people.

Thousands of students applied via British Airways’ careers website for places on this year’s programme and the final 200 were chosen based on their passion and enthusiasm for flying, ensuring the opportunity was afforded to a diverse range of young people, both young men and women.

Angela Williams, British Airways’ Director of People, said, “We know the importance of introducing young people, especially young women, to aviation at an early age in order to inspire them to pursue a career in the cockpit and that’s why I’m thrilled we’re extending this ground-breaking flying initiative to youngsters up and down the UK in 2020. We’re passionate about improving diversity across all areas of our airline and we’re committed to investing in the next generation who will join us in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.”

Alongside the flying lessons, this year British Airways hosted more young people on work experience than ever before with 600 students completing a week-long placement at British Airways across 25 departments.

Work experience is just one of many routes into the airline for young people who are ready to start their career in aviation. As well as its apprenticeship programme, graduate scheme and business placements, in 2020 British Airways will become the first and only UK airline to operate a paid summer internship, giving current university students a unique insight into the complex world of aviation as interns within its global operation. 

Applications are currently open for the graduate scheme, business placements and the new summer internship programme.

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