Virgin Atlantic crew, pilots, ground and office-based staff are set to work with the NHS and St John’s Ambulance service over the coming months to assist with the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine across the UK.

Many of the airline’s employees, including those with medical training, have been furloughed on the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme since the start of the pandemic, with many volunteering at NHS Nightingale hospitals and with the London and St John Ambulance services.

The airline is now working to secure voluntary and paid opportunities for its furloughed employees at NHS mass vaccination centres.

The NHS is offering a fast-track application process for Virgin Atlantic staff, who will all undergo training before being deployed, ready to support the NHS teams.

Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic Chief Customer and Operating Officer, said: “We are very proud of our highly-skilled people at Virgin Atlantic and since the beginning of the crisis we have received an amazing response with hundreds keen to sign up and support the NHS and frontline emergency services.

“Our people undergo rigorous training programmes in their roles which include medical, safety and customer service training and the NHS recognises the value and experience they will bring to this crucial mass vaccination programme.”