Man is barred from becoming airline pilot because he has HIV

A man has been barred from following his "boyhood dream" and becoming an airline pilot because he is HIV-positive, say reports.

The man, known only as Anthony, has been prevented becoming a pilot by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) because of his HIV status.

Anthony has been unable to take up an offer from EasyJet to join its pilot training scheme despite saving money for the training and earning a private flying licence.

He has appealed for the last six months against the decision, while the CAA say that it is just following European rules set by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

"It has had a fundamental impact," Anthony told Buzzfeed News. "It means the one career choice I want to make and want to do, I'm being told no, and the cause of that is because I'm HIV-positive.

"It has destroyed a boyhood dream for me. It makes it difficult to accept the [HIV] diagnosis, because you want to believe there are no restrictions to you, but actually there are."

Anthony, who previously worked in hospitality management, is now being supported by his local MP, Patrick Grady, and two leading HIV charities, to campaign for a rule change.

In the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and New Zealand HIV-positive people are allowed to apply for a commercial pilot's licence.

And current rules set by EASA say that current pilots who then become HIV-positive are allowed to continue flying.

But the rules say that medical risks for pilots with HIV include "cognitive impairment", such as problems with memory, thinking, and judgment, according to the CAA and EASA, and could affect a pilot flying solo.

Anthony says the research used by the EASA was now "outdated" and even the CAA said in a statement that they "support" Anthony's calls for a rule change.

"We support a rule change in this area, where it is safe to do so, and will continue to work with EASA and HIV experts to reassess this regulation, with a view to enabling applicants to obtain an initial Class 1 medical certificate," they said to Buzzfeed.

The chair of the transport select committee, Lilian Greenwood, has also written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling calling for an investigation into the application.