The Bermuda Tourism Authority has teamed up with an international organisation to help Bermudians take off in the field of aviation.

Training programmes run by the International Air Transport Association ‒ which represents 83 per cent of the world's air traffic ‒ will be available through the BTA’s online learning platform, BTA+.

The BTA said the courses had been specifically selected to align with the needs of the island’s tourism industry and encompass topics such as airline customer service fundamentals, diversity and inclusion, and more.

IATA training aims to be the first point of reference worldwide for aviation professionals, students and businesses who desire standard practices and aviation industry needs.

Tariq Lynch-Wade, the director of operations at the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, said that in an ever-changing industry, “continuous learning” was essential.

He said: “This philosophy of continuous learning underpins the industry's high safety and security standards. It also reinforces the partnership between the BTA and IATA, supporting an effort to facilitate a gateway for Bermudians to enter and further their education in the aviation industry.”

The programme was backed by Davida O’Brien, the BTA’s tourism standards and training manager.

Ms O’Brien said: "Bringing IATA's expertise into our learning ecosystem is a remarkable step forward for us and the tourism industry.

“For students who may have once thought that becoming a pilot or a flight attendant was just a dream, partnerships such as these demonstrate that it is indeed attainable. We've witnessed numerous individuals from our community transcend in their aviation careers and we are committed to fostering more connections like these for our island.”

The development coincides with the launch of the first Bermuda-based airline, BermudAir.

The BTA statement said: “This marks a significant milestone for our industry and opens doors for those considering it a career option. Involving residents as our visitors' initial point of contact is an excellent way to elevate Bermuda collectively.

“The courses will empower professionals to grasp the mutually beneficial relationship between aviation and the more significant tourism industry, highlighting aviation's essential role in shaping travel experiences.”

Those working in the travel industry or anyone looking to embark on a new career in the tourism industry can register for BTA+ courses here.