Coronavirus: Former pilot cultivates new online plant business

Nathan Raab, with colleagues Charlotte Hosking and Georgia Evans, aims to give back to the environment

A former British Airways pilot has turned over a new leaf with the launch of an online houseplant business.

Nathan Raab was devastated when he became one of hundreds of pilots who lost their jobs as planes were grounded at the height of the pandemic.

But he has moved from Crawley - near his previous base airport Gatwick - to Chichester to develop his new business.

The 25-year-old said he aims to help the environment after a career in the skies.

Mr Raab, who was made redundant by BA in August 2020, set up Pointless Plants with his girlfriend, Georgia Evans, co-owner Jane Fear and plant doctor Charlotte Hosking.

Nathan was made redundant from his job as a pilot in 2020, aged 24

His love for the environment has prompted him to commit to planting 10 trees for every order his company receives, with the ultimate aim of providing one million new trees around the globe by the end of 2025.

He said: "When I was sitting in the cockpit, looking at the planet, it gave me so much enjoyment every day. So I have to now give back to it."

Mr Raab has pledged that Pointless Plants - named in jest after a quip by his girlfriend - will become carbon-negative by the end of next year.

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