Jazz Aviation Pathways Program expands to 16 organizations with addition of Collège Air Richelieu

HALIFAX, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to welcome Collège Air Richelieu of Saint-Hubert, Que. to its Jazz Aviation Pathways Program ("Jazz APP"); a program developed in 2007 to create a streamlined career path for the pilot profession in Canada. The addition of Collège Air Richelieu brings the number of Jazz APP educational institutions to 12, and the overall number of organizations to 16.

"We're delighted to start the eleventh year of the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program with an expansion, and the addition of the high calibre program at Collège Air Richelieu," said Steve Linthwaite, Vice President of Flight Operations at Jazz. "Our Jazz APP is committed to creating opportunities for the pilot profession from coast to coast. Working together on safety and professionalism with all Jazz APP organizations allows us to prepare new graduates for airline operations, while continuing to provide Jazz with a high-quality source of pilots."

This agreement is the first of its kind between Jazz and Collège Air Richelieu's Integrated ATPL program. The industry-leading Jazz Aviation Pathways 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 top-performing graduates to transition to first officer positions at Jazz.

"We are grateful and honored that Jazz has recognized the quality of our training programs by selecting us for their Jazz APP program. Moreover, with our Integrated ATPL program, our best students will benefit from the opportunity to transition to first officer positions at Jazz," said Thierry Dugrippe, General Manager and Operations Manager at Collège Air Richelieu. "It goes without saying that this collaboration will certainly add to the students' motivations. We are therefore proud to contribute to the success of quality pilots in the field of aviation by aligning with a company such as Jazz – a carrier with a strong history and a pilot pathway connection to Air Canada."

The Jazz APP awards over $70,000 each year to top students in recognition of safety and professionalism.

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the Integrated ATPL 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 Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected.

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the Integrated ATPL program who has self-identified as Aboriginal, a person with a disability, a 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 Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected.

The Jazz APP / Air Canada connection

Jazz is Air Canada's largest regional partner and operates approximately 700 flights a day as an integral part of Air Canada's strategy and North American market presence. Jazz is a proud operator of Air Canada Express service to 74 destinations in Canada and the United States. Through Jazz's agreement with Air Canada, a professional pilot career with Jazz provides a faster track to flying for Air Canada mainline. Up to 80% of Air Canada's pilots are hired from their Air Canada Express partners; with the majority coming from Jazz.

About the Jazz APP

Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges, flight schools and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program banner. To-date, Jazz has announced agreements between Jazz APP and the following aviation colleges, flight schools, universities and industry organizations:

Educational institutions:

• Collège Air Richelieu
• Algonquin College
• Centre québécois de formation aéronautique at Cégep de Chicoutimi
• Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
• Confederation College
• Mount Royal University
• Ottawa Aviation Services
• Okanagan College
• Sault College
• Seneca College
• University of Waterloo
• Western University

Industry organizations:

• Air Cadet League of Canada
• Air Canada
• Bearskin Airlines
• Wasaya Airways

Visit our Jazz APP website: flyjazz.ca/pathwaysprogram
Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/jazzaviationlp
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/jazzaviationlp
Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/jazz-aviation-lp

Jazz continues to be recognized by our communities as a top employer, and for our operational performance.

• Canada's Top Diversity Employers (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012)
• Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012)
• Atlantic Canada's Top 25 Employers (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012)
• Nova Scotia's Top 15 Employers (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012)
• North America's top five on-time performing regional airlines (2015 and 2014)
• Bombardier's Airline Reliability Awards (2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013)

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. (TSX: CHR). Chorus's vision is to deliver regional aviation to the world.

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 4,500 professionals, highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are three divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP: Air Canada Express, Jazz Technical Services and Jazz.

Air Canada Express: Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, using the Air Canada Express brand, 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 116 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz Technical Services: Established in May 2016 as a separate division, Jazz Technical Services ('JTS') is dedicated to heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Bombardier aircraft. JTS provides MRO services to third parties while maintaining the dedication and commitment to its primary customer, Air Canada.

Jazz: Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America 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.

About Collège Air Richelieu

Since 1928, Collège Air Richelieu/Aéroclub de Montréal has become a leader in the training of airline pilots. As the first private aviation college in Quebec to be approved by the Ministère de l'Éducation, its priority is to offer quality training adapted to the future. With its state-of-the art training programs and tools, the college trains airline pilots to the highest standards. Collège Air Richelieu is proud to have trained thousands of Canadian and international pilots, including astronauts Julie Payette and David Saint-Jacques.

SOURCE Chorus Aviation Inc.