British Airways wants to hire 800 new pilots by 2016 using three combined recruitment programmes, including a joint initiative with the armed forces to take on personnel due to leave the service. People Management Magazine reports that:

British Airways has launched its biggest pilot recruitment drive for 10 years as the airline aims to secure its next generation talent with sponsored training and a three-pronged hiring plan.

The employer wants to hire 800 new pilots by 2016 using three combined recruitment programmes, one for trainees, one to entice experienced pilots from rival airlines, and a joint initiative with the armed forces to take on military personnel due to leave the service.

These new recruits will eventually join the airline's existing 3,200 pilots.

The trainee scheme, called the Future Pilot Programme, will help individuals overcome the high cost of pilot tuition, which is about £100,000, by helping them to secure funding that can be paid back later in their career.

This programme will enable about 400 trainees to attend one of three world-class flight training colleges in the UK and Spain, with initial course fees covered by sponsor company, Airline Placement Limited, with BA acting as guarantor...

• Full article by Claire Churchard, People Management Magazine Online - BA's biggest recuitment drive for a decade 'is fairer'
• BBC News Business - British Airways launches pilot recruitment drive