British Airways on hiring spree

British Airways (BA), one of the world's largest airlines, flying to 169 destinations, is going on a hiring spree. This is the biggest pilot recruitment drive in more than a decade for BA. The British carrier is recruiting 800 pilots over the next few years. BA currently has 3200 pilots on its rolls. 50% of the fresh pilots are expected to come through the British Airways Future Pilot Programme. BA plans to hire the remaining 50% from other airlines. Those who have served in the armed forces may also be considered. The latter could be asked to undertake a training programme to fly commercial aircrafts. Interestingly the airline is mulling over to use YouTube as a recruitment tool to extend the source of potential recruits. "The Future Pilot Programme is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, from any background to realise their ambition of becoming a pilot and flying for British Airways," Captain Robin Glover, head of pilot recruitment at British Airways, told local media.