British Airways has confirmed plans to recruit new cabin crew to work for the airline from spring 2022 to help fly its summer schedule.
The carrier did not give details of the numbers needed but the Unite union previously suggested 3,000 would be rehired after 10,000 jobs were cut at the height of the pandemic last year.
BA said it was also appealing to a broad range of people “to create the most diverse crew workforce” in its 100-year history in addition to experienced crew members looking to return.
The airline has already contacted people in the company’s existing talent pools, which holds the details of staff who left last year but have expressed an interest to return when jobs are available.
Crew will be able to earn up to £28,000 a year with flying/duty pay and a tax-fee subsistence allowance, as well as “generous” company benefits, according to BA.
To incentivise new starters, BA is also waiving its policy around the need to do six months at the airline before accessing staff travel.
Unlike other UK airlines, BA offers cabin crew the chance to fly long and short-haul routes across its network.
Applications are open and assessments will take place throughout November.
The airline will be fast-tracking its recruitment schedules with the hope of people taking their first training courses in January to enable them to start work on board from March 2022.
BA earlier announced it is planning to operate its biggest schedule since March 2020 this winter and plans to relaunch a short-haul operation from Gatwick by summer 2022 after concluding talks with pilots union Balpa.
Chief executive Sean Doyle said: “After 18 long months of closed or restricted borders across the world, we are finally seeing a demand for travel return as countries start to open up and ease their restrictions.
“This means that we can finally get back to doing what we do best – flying our customers around the world. As we look ahead to next summer, we are excited to start welcoming brilliant new people and former colleagues back to the British Airways family.”
He added: “Everyone is welcome at British Airways; we have an opportunity to give people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to see the world and help shape the future of our airline.
“We know that there are people looking for the first step in their career or a complete career change. We will value the skills and experience they will bring to the role to help serve our customers.”
Cabin crew In-flight manager Camille John said: “I joined British Airways from Harrods, where I worked in the womenswear department. The airline combines all the things that make me passionate about my job – giving great customer service, working with incredible people and of course, serious style.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham had criticised the carrier for acting “in bad faith”.
She said: “The creation of these new posts confirms what Unite said last year, there was never any need to sack thousands of dedicated BA staff.
“Now, fewer than 12 months later BA is championing its intention to recruit thousands of new staff, insultingly even asking those crew it sacked needlessly last year to re-apply on substantially reduced terms and conditions.”
Applications came be made via careers site at www.careers.ba.com