Duration: 18 Months
Salary: £16,916
Location: London Heathrow
Application Closing Date: 9 December
Start Date: October 2025
The programme
It takes a carefully coordinated team effort to ensure our customers, and their luggage, leave on time, all the time. British Airways colleagues in Baggage Handling, Aircraft Loading and Ground Logistics all play their part. You’ll gain experience across all three teams, to learn how to operate our different systems and vehicles – and to gain a full understanding of how we deal with disruption and keep fights on schedule.
There’s a big focus on safety and security, so you’ll be kitted out with uniform, protective equipment and weather-resistant gear to enable you to do your job safely. You also need to be flexible and adaptable to different shift patterns, and just as happy being outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.
With extensive training, support and hands on experience, the programme will give you everything you need to gain an apprenticeship as an Aviation Ground Operative.
About You
We are looking for a strong teammate and above all, strong self-motivation. 3 GCSE’s including English and Maths GCSE at grade 9-4 (A*-C) is desirable but not crucial. Our apprentices need a Full UK Manual driving licence with 6 months driving experience by the start of the programme, and due to the manual handling aspect of the job, you’ll need to be able to lift up to 32kg.
What's in it for you?
Looking to join our apprenticeship scheme? You won't be disappointed. Recently being ranked 18th in Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer Awards, we can't wait to welcome you into the British Airways family.
We have many benefits for apprentices at British Airways, here are a handful to showcase the diversity of our apprentice community:
- Increase in salary after you have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, if completed in line with your development objectives
- Part of our apprentice network and community, with the opportunity to engage with apprentices from all schemes in the business and learn from former apprentices
- Involvement in our bold sustainability vision, volunteering an active role to champion specific community groups including LGBTQ+ 'Flying Proud' and ethnic minority network 'BeMe'
- Involvement in Community Investment programmes, taking part in fundraising challenges for partnership charities, supporting causes close to your heart
- Volunteering in schools and colleges sharing personal experiences to inspire, empower and mentor students and support their potential to gain employment in the industry we love
- Access to heavily discounted flights to globe trot, and a generous annual leave entitlement to turn your bucket list into reality
Further Information & Next Steps
We are delighted you are considering applying! Here’s some more information you may need about the application process:
- All sections of your application need to be complete, including all online tests, by the deadline given
- Due to high volumes of applications, you may only apply for one apprenticeship programme. We would recommend for you to read about each apprenticeship scheme before applying as only your first application will be considered
- If you are successful with the initial application, you will be invited to complete a short video interview within a given timeframe
- Across all stages of the application process, if you fail to submit by the deadline, your application will be automatically withdrawn.
- Don’t forget to keep an eye on our main event page on the careers website to see any events you can join to find out more information and top tips, as well as which upcoming events we will be attending.
At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.
Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
Timelines for this recruitment process
- Initial applications open between 4 November – 9 December but may close earlier if volumes are high
- If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to complete a video interview in January
- If your video interview is successful, you will be invited to a Virtual Assessment Centre which will take place in March/April 2025
For more information about our Heathrow Operations Apprenticeship scheme click here: https://careers.ba.com/apprentices-heathrow-operations
