Jazz Pilot Pathway Program Expands again to welcome Keewatin Air

HALIFAX, May 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Keewatin Air LP ("Keewatin") for the carrier to become the eighteenth organization in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program ("Jazz APP").

"Our Jazz APP program was introduced 11 years ago to provide a clearer pathway for professional pilots across Canada," said Steve Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations, Jazz. "We're very pleased to continue delivering on this commitment by welcoming Keewatin – who has operational bases as far north as Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit, NU – to elevate our Jazz APP further, into a truly Canadian concept."

There are two pillars of this agreement:

First, Jazz will refer to Keewatin, high quality graduates who have progressed through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program at our affiliated aviation colleges and universities. Those graduates would have the opportunity to transition to first officer positions at Keewatin.

Second, the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program will provide a direct career path opportunity for qualifying Keewatin pilots to transition to first officer positions at Jazz. The career pathway could then continue for those Keewatin pilots interested in future opportunities to fly for Air Canada through Jazz's Pilot Mobility Program with the mainline carrier.

Through agreements with 13 colleges and universities, and five industry organizations including Keewatin, the Jazz APP program provides yet another pilot career pathway for aviation graduates with this latest agreement.

"Keewatin Air is pleased to be part of the Jazz Pilot Pathway Program," said D. Wayne McLeod, President, Keewatin Air. "This mutually beneficial partnership will offer a defined path for pilots to gain invaluable experience and prepare them for successful advancement to another well-respected and recognized Canadian airline".

The Jazz APP / Air Canada connection

Jazz is Air Canada's largest and longest-serving 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 77 destinations in Canada and the United States with a fleet of 116 aircraft.

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. To-date 450 Jazz pilots have transitioned to Air Canada under our Pilot Mobility Program.

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
• Brampton Flight Centre
• 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
• Keewatin Air LP
• 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 (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012)
• Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012)
• Canada's Safest Employers (2017)
• 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 (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013)

About Jazz Aviation LP – A Chorus Aviation Inc. company

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 Keewatin Air LP

With more than 45 years of business experience in aviation, Keewatin Air is one of the most comprehensive aeromedical organizations in Canada, providing extensive 24-hour emergency air ambulance service in Canada's remote Arctic region. In addition to the aeromedical evacuation services, a full-service Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) is also available.

Keewatin Air actively encourages and supports employee career development by providing robust internal training programs that assist employees in growing professionally within the organization. These training programs provide opportunity for career advancement, regardless of the field within the aviation industry.

Within Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Manitoba, 24/7 medevac service is provided to over twenty-eight (28) communities, transporting over 1,500 patients and flying over 2.3 million medevac miles annually.

For more information, please visit www.kivalliqair.com.

SOURCE Chorus Aviation Inc.