Jazz adds Western university to its professional pilot career pathway program

HALIFAX, April 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to announce a further commitment to Canada's future professional pilots with an agreement between the airline's Jazz Aviation Pathway Program ("Jazz APP") and Western University's ("Western") Commercial Aviation Management program.

"The calibre of Western's Commercial Aviation Management program is a tremendous addition to the Jazz APP," said Steven Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations at Jazz. "We're pleased that they share our vision of creating a strong future for the pilot profession in Canada and we look forward to furthering our relationship with Western toward these common goals."

This agreement is the first of its kind between Jazz and Western. The industry-leading Jazz APP program includes collaboration on training and curriculum to promote safety and professionalism, while providing up-to-date information on industry best practices. The Jazz APP is aimed at establishing a direct career path for qualifying graduates including flight simulator evaluations, student scholarships, and the opportunity for Western's top-performing Commercial Aviation Management graduates to transition to first officer positions at Jazz.

Two awards were created to recognize Jazz's commitment to safety and professionalism:

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of Western's Commercial Aviation Management program for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program selection process. The award recipients are selected by the Western program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected. On April 2, 2016, Jazz was pleased to award the inaugural Pathway Award for Professionalism at Western to Taylor Elliott of Goderich, ON.

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of Western's Commercial Aviation Management program who has self-identified as an Aboriginal, person with a disability, visible minority, or female, for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program selection process. The award recipients are selected by the Western program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected. On April 2, 2016, Jazz was pleased to award the inaugural Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity at Western to Umesh Nileshwar of Toronto, ON.

"Western is very pleased to solidify our relationship with Jazz by providing highly-trained pilots who have completed their university degrees," said Brian Morris, Director, Flight Operations and Industry Liaison with Western's Commercial Aviation Management program. "This agreement is not only a vote of confidence in our program from Jazz, but gives our students the opportunity to take an accelerated path towards a career as an airline pilot."

Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with a number of aviation colleges and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program banner.

About Jazz Aviation LP

Jazz Aviation LP has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. As the largest regional carrier in Canada, Jazz has a proven track record of industry leadership and exceptional customer service, and has leveraged that strength to deliver value to all its stakeholders. Jazz operates more flights and flies to more Canadian destinations than any other airline, and has a workforce of approximately 4200 professionals, highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are two airline divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP: Air Canada Express and Jazz.

Air Canada Express: Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout North America with a fleet of 110 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz: Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America with a dedicated fleet of Bombardier aircraft for corporate clients, governments, special interest groups and individuals seeking more convenience. Jazz also has the ability to offer airline operators services such as ground handling, dispatching, flight load planning, training and consulting.

For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca.

About Western

Western University, in London, Canada, delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community. www.westernu.ca.

For more information, visit http://mos.uwo.ca/undergraduate/cam/index.html.

SOURCE Jazz

Media contacts: Jazz Aviation LP: Teri Udle, [phone]; Halifax, NS [email protected]; Manon Stuart, [phone], Halifax, NS, [email protected]; Debra Williams, [phone], Toronto, ON, [email protected]; Western University: Keith Marnoch, [phone]x85468, London, ON, [email protected]