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Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz) has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Thunder Bay, Ont.-based Wasaya Airways LP (Wasaya), for the carrier to become the ninth partner in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program (Jazz APP).
“This is an exciting development for our Jazz APP program,” said Steve Linthwaite, vice-president, flight operations, Jazz. “In addition to our long history of working with aviation colleges and universities in Canada, we’re thrilled to recognize the talent and experience of Wasaya’s professional pilots and extend our career pathway to them.”
There are two pillars of this agreement:
First, Jazz will refer to Wasaya high quality graduates who have progressed through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program at its partner aviation colleges and universities. Those graduates would then have the opportunity to transition to first officer positions at Wasaya.
Second, the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program will provide a direct career path opportunity for qualifying Wasaya pilots to transition to first officer positions at Jazz. The career pathway could then continue for those Wasaya pilots interested in future opportunities to fly for Air Canada through Jazz’s preferential interview process (Pilot Mobility Program) with the mainline carrier.
Through agreements with eight aviation colleges and universities, and industry partners Wasaya and Air Canada, the Jazz APP program provides yet another pilot career pathway for aviation graduates with this latest agreement.
“Wasaya is delighted to join with Jazz on the Aviation Pathway Program,” said Michael Rodyniuk, president and chief executive officer of Wasaya. “We see this as a game changer for pilot recruitment and retention. An initial hire at Wasaya will now have the potential for opportunities to work with Wasaya, Jazz, or ultimately Air Canada.
“Over recent months, we’ve worked together with Capt Steve Linthwaite and the Jazz team to realize this milestone. The program builds on our relationship with Jazz and its parent company Chorus Aviation. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this program will provide an important opportunity for First Nations’ youth, showing a clear path to a career as an airline pilot.”
Jazz and Wasaya recognize and appreciate the involvement, proactive approach and commitment of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, especially both master executive councils, regarding discussions on ALPA seniority and provisions affecting both the Jazz and Wasaya flight teams.
Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada’s future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation college and universities.
In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program banner. To date, Jazz has announced agreements between the Jazz APP and the following institutions and organizations: Algonquin College, Centre québécois de formation aéronautique, Confederation College, Mount Royal University, Okanagan College, Sault College, Seneca College, Wasaya Airways and Western University.
