Flight Training Group Aeros to Support British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy in 2026

United Kingdom - Aeros announced its support for the 2026 British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy, helping to enable the next generation of commercial airline pilots as applications open for the fully-funded programme.

British Airways has committed £18 million to fund up to 160 aspiring pilots through its highly competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy, removing the traditional financial barriers to entry and opening aviation careers to a broader and more diverse talent pool.

As part of the 2026 programme, British Airways will work with Aeros Flight Training to deliver elements of training within the Speedbird Pilot Academy, utilising Fast-Track and Flexi-Track training approaches. As a selected training partner, Aeros will deliver training in line with British Airways’ requirements, supporting pilot development toward commercial airline operations.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy covers the full £100,000 cost of pilot training over two years, with successful candidates progressing to a flying role with British Airways upon completion. The programme represents a significant investment in the future of UK aviation and aims to ensure talented individuals from all backgrounds can pursue a career as a commercial pilot.

Nick Dunn, CEO at Aeros said: "We are proud to support British Airways in delivering the Speedbird Pilot Academy and helping to widen access to aviation careers. Removing financial barriers is one of the most important steps in attracting the very best talent into the industry, and this initiative creates real opportunity for aspiring pilots who may not otherwise have considered this path. The demand for pilot training continues to grow, and programmes like this play a vital role in building a strong and diverse future workforce for UK aviation."

The Speedbird Pilot Academy has already seen almost 50 pilots progress into British Airways flight deck roles, with tens of thousands applying each year. The 2026 programme continues this commitment, offering up to 160 fully funded places.

Applications for the 2026 Speedbird Pilot Academy open Tuesday 14 April 2026 and close Thursday 23 April 2026 via the British Airways careers website.

About Aeros Flight Training
Aeros Flight Training is one of the UK’s most established modular pilot training academies. With bases across the country (Cardiff, Gloucester, Leeds East & Wellesbourne) and a proven track record of helping students achieve commercial licences, Aeros offers flexible, high-quality training programmes led by experienced instructors. The academy prides itself on a supportive learning environment, a fleet of well-maintained aircraft, and a commitment to helping students reach their aviation goals. What sets Aeros apart in the industry is its commitment to breaking down barriers to train. With no bulky prepayments* and a pay as you learn strategy, students don’t need to raise significant funds up front. Many choose to ‘earn as they learn’, meaning the industry benefits from Pilots who’ve demonstrated resilience and determination. Aeros delivers a full suite of recreational and professional modular flight training courses channeled through their Fast-Track and Flexi-Track training pathways, combining the benefits of modular training with flexible scheduling and it’s pay as you go pricing. Aeros students achieve UK CAA licences.

*Students are required to pay a modest enrollment fee to secure training places, but no high value or repeat prepayments are requested or required.

Source: Aeros Flight Training