Balpa said three UK-based flight schools have already collapsed in the first half of 2023 and has called on ministers to ensure “proper financial regulation” and "a stable pilot training pipeline” for the aviation industry.
Earlier this year, students who paid in advance for flight training were left out of pocket following the collapse of Tayside Aviation and FTA Global – with some trainees owed up to £90,000.
Balpa said it does not believe the Civil Aviation Authority has given sufficient oversight to the issue, which includes requiring “evidence of sufficient funding” from flight schools.
Alex Whittingham, managing director of Bristol-based Wings Alliance and Bristol Groundschool, claimed the CAA had “been asleep at the wheel”, adding: “They need to fix the system so this doesn’t happen again”.
The union’s campaign is seeking the CAA immediately require flight schools not to take advanced payments or deposits from students in excess of £5,000 and allow credit card as a payment option.
It is also calling for a review of the CAA’s oversight on the issue and the consideration to create an Atol-style consumer protection scheme to financial cover student pilots.
Miranda Rackley, Balpa’s interim general secretary, said: “Flight schools going bust is financially devastating to hardworking students who deserve to have their money better protected from flight school failures.
“Pilot training is amongst the most expensive training of all professions, and unlike other careers such as law and medicine, there is no student funding available. Many trainees resort to family support to fund their training, such as re-mortgaging family houses. Government needs to step up and protect students that are so vital to the future of the UK aviation industry.”
