BA is calling on women to become pilots
With one week to go until the British Airways’ cadet training programme closes, the airline is calling for more female applicants.
The 18-month ‘Future Pilot Programme’ has attracted around 5,000 applicants for fewer than 100 places in its first two years, but the airline says it hasn’t appealed to enough women.
Altough BA claims to employ more female pilots than any other UK airline, its male pilots outnumber females 18 to one. Out of 3,500, just 200 are women.
The training programme helps applicants to gain places at one of three BA approved flight training schools in Oxford, Southampton and Jerez in Spain
During their training, students complete their ground theory training, cockpit instrument rating and flight training, flying light aircraft in Spain, New Zealand or Arizona in the US.
The final two months of the programme are completed on BA’s flight simulators at the airline’s training centre near Heathrow
BA director of flight operations Captain Stephen Riley, said: "Even though we have more female pilots than any other UK carrier, the number doesn’t nearly represent the general population, and I actively encourage any women considering a career in flying to apply."
Sisters Aoife Duggan (27) and Cliodhna Duggan (35) from Dublin, are fronting BA’s campaign to boost the number of female pilots.
Aoife said: "It was my sister that inspired me to go into the industry, buying me flying lessons for my 18th birthday and I’ve never looked back. I encourage anyone with an interest in flying to go for it and apply."
Cliodhna said: "Being a pilot is a really great career, I’ve been doing it for 13 years and I love the variety of the job. Going to work involves flying above the clouds, seeing the sun rise in spectacular locations, and having the opportunity to see the world. It’s also a very flexible industry with varied working hours, to accommodate and fit around your lifestyle."
Applications can be made through ba.com/careers until November 26.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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