Wasaya Airways of Thunder Bay has signed a letter of intent with Jazz Aviation to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program.
Through arrangements with aviation colleges and universities, graduates of the program can move upward into first officer positions at Wasaya, Jazz and Air Canada.
Steve Linthwaite, vice-president of flights operations with Jazz, called it an "exciting development" for the program.
"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."
The agreement will enable graduates of the program to move into first officer positions at Wasaya and provide an opportunity for Wasaya pilots to transition into first officer positions at Jazz and then into Air Canada.
In a Nov. 21 statement, Jazz president-CEO Michael Rodyniuk said joining the Aviation Pathway Program is a "game changer for pilot recruitment and retention."
"The program builds on our relationship with Jazz and its parent company Chorus Aviation."
Jazz has program participation agreements with Algonquin College, Centre québécois de formation aéronautique, Confederation College, Mount Royal University, Okanagan College, Sault College, Seneca College, Wasaya Airways and Western University.
