Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • British Airways apprentices dispatch flight to Cape Town

Aerospace

British Airways apprentices dispatch flight to Cape Town

A team of skilled British Airways apprentices have successfully dispatched a flight to South Africa, marking a first for the airline and reinforcing the key role apprentices play throughout BA's business.

Image courtesy British Airways

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2024, around 40 apprentices worked across a variety of roles for the successful departure of the 18:25 Boeing 777 BA43 flight from London Heathrow to Cape Town, South Africa.

Apprentices were stationed across check-in, lounges and at the boarding gate, to support more than 300 customers as they prepared to depart. On the airfield, ground operations apprentices supported with baggage handling and engineering tasks to ensure the aircraft was ready for departure.  

Advertisement
ODU RT

Jawad Arbi, Heathrow Operations Apprentice at British Airways, said: “Working in collaboration with other apprentices from across the operation to ensure a safe departure has been a fantastic experience. Starting an apprenticeship with British Airways has transformed my career and I’m excited to continue to develop my skills and see where it takes me."

British Airways’ apprentice scheme, now in its 13th year, has seen a 75% increase in applicants compared to 2022, with 4,500 last year, compared to 2,562 in 2022. The airline is now offering more apprenticeship positions than ever before – it started out offering 30 places in 2011, to 290 today.

Apprentices that join the airline will begin work in 10 area-focused roles across three business areas: Customer, Business and Operations. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced airline colleagues, engage in real-world aviation projects and receive valuable mentorship to kickstart and develop their careers.

The significant interest in the programme reflects British Airways’ position as an industry leader and a key player in shaping the future of aviation professionals and underlines the airline’s commitment to developing and growing the next generation of emerging talent and supporting early careers in aviation.  

Rachel Iley, Director of Global Learning Academy, at British Airways, said:“This landmark flight demonstrates the integral role apprentices play in our workforce and the opportunities available to those who join British Airways on one of our schemes. Our talented apprentices bring a fresh perspective to our airline, and their ideas and enthusiasm will help propel us into the future.”

Throughout 2023, British Airways’ Emerging Talent team, which is responsible for sourcing new talent through apprenticeships and graduate schemes, attended almost 250 career and job fair events and met approximately 37,000 young people to inspire them to consider a career in aviation.

Advertisement
Leonardo

The next cohort of apprenticeships will open for applications October 2024.

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon, said: “Apprenticeships are crucial to giving people from all backgrounds the chance to climb the ladder of opportunity while addressing skills gaps and helping to grow our economy.
 
“So, it is brilliant news that British Airways continues to embrace apprenticeships offering 178 positions this year, and receiving a record number of applications. British Airways understand the levy and use it well. They have experienced the wealth of benefits apprentices bring to their business and I hope more businesses follow their lead and experience this for themselves.”

 

 


 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Air Niugini takes delivery of its first Airbus A220

Aerospace

Air Niugini takes delivery of its first Airbus A220

12 September 2025

Air Niugini, the national carrier of Papua New Guinea, has taken delivery of its first A220-300 aircraft, on lease from Azorra.

Heathrow hits historic high in August

Aerospace

Heathrow hits historic high in August

11 September 2025

Heathrow made history in August, surpassing eight million passengers in a single month for the first time.

ADS reveals 2024 value of aerospace, defence, security and space to Scotland

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ADS reveals 2024 value of aerospace, defence, security and space to Scotland

11 September 2025

The aerospace, defence, security and space sectors added £3.7 billion to Scotland’s economy in 2024, according to new data from ADS, equating to a 55% increase between 2020 and 2024.

LEMO launches rugged OPTIMA D Series connectors

Aerospace Defence

LEMO launches rugged OPTIMA D Series connectors

10 September 2025

Worthing based LEMO has introduced the OPTIMA D Series, a compact and rugged connector platform engineered for performance in demanding environments.

Advertisement
ODU RT
IFA invests in Sheffield site

Aerospace Defence

IFA invests in Sheffield site

9 September 2025

Independent Forging and Alloys (IFA) has today announced plans for a major investment in expanding their manufacturing capability at its production site in Sheffield, UK.

ATC performance stays on track as summer comes to an end

Aerospace

ATC performance stays on track as summer comes to an end

9 September 2025

UK air traffic in August increased by 2.4% on the same month last year as NATS, the UK’s major provider of air traffic services, safely handled 246,442 flights.

Advertisement
ODU RT