British Airways aims to recruit 800 pilots by 2016 to cover pilots converting to new aircraft entering its fleet.

Yesterday, BA confirmed plans to hire 800 new pilots through a combination of training new pilots and recruiting from rival carriers, as well as offering military pilots a commercial career.

It is launching a trainee programme the aim of helping around 400 applicants gain a place at an approved flight training school, with successful candidates becoming pilots for British Airways.

Successful trainees will attend one of three flight training colleges in the UK and Spain, with initial fees covered by sponsor company, Airline Placement Limited (APL), with British Airways acting as guarantor.

A BA spokesperson told Recruiter: “We are looking for new pilots essentially to cover training for pilots converting to new aircraft joining the fleet, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380s, but we also have short-haul Airbus and Boeing 777-300 aircraft already entering the fleet.

“New pilots will fly on aircraft already in the fleet. Typically they will start on our short-haul fleet across Heathrow and Gatwick, typically flying domestic and European routes. The further benefit of joining British Airways as a pilot is the breadth of aircraft we have across short-haul and long-haul. The career path affords new pilots the opportunity to progress from short-haul to long-haul flying if they so choose.

“We also need cover for natural wastage, including retirements, and a lot of pilots may move to part time working. It is about recruiting the right mix of new and experienced pilots for British Airways for the years to come.”

Candidates are advised to apply by visiting britishairwaysjobs.com.