Press Releases
- Jazz signs landmark agreement with its pilot union, Air Line Pilots Association, Intl.
HALIFAX, Sept. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to announce that it has signed a landmark agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl ("ALPA"). This industry leading agreement introduces the concept of seniority portability for pilots wishing to transition to Jazz from Thunder Bay, Ontario-based Bearskin Lake Air Service LP ("Bearskin") and Wasaya Airways LP ("Wasaya").
"Jazz continues to be a leader in recruiting programs and we are pleased to enhance our relationships with Bearskin Airlines and Wasaya Airways," said Steve Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations, Jazz. "This agreement is an industry first and Jazz is proud to continue our focus on the pilot profession in Canada through innovative programs like this."
Through this industry-leading agreement, pilots at Bearskin Airlines and Wasaya Airways will begin to accrue portable seniority as of October 11, 2017 allowing them to port their seniority from pilot positions at these carriers to pilot positions at Jazz.
Qualified candidates from Bearskin Airlines and Wasaya Airways looking to transition to pilot positions at Jazz will be required to meet the same hiring, interview and regulatory standards, and must also successfully complete the same ground school and Transport Canada Pilot Proficiency Check, as all other new hire pilots at Jazz.
Through agreements with 10 colleges and universities, and four industry organizations including Bearskin and Wasaya, the Jazz APP program provides yet another pilot career pathway innovation with this latest agreement.
"We are pleased to reach an agreement with the company that will protect all ALPA pilots at Bearskin and Wasaya who wish to come to Jazz in the future," said Jazz Master Executive Council Chairman, Captain Claude Buraglia.
Jazz, Bearskin and Wasaya recognize and appreciate the involvement, proactive approach and commitment of the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl – especially all Master Executive Council representatives – regarding discussions on ALPA seniority and provisions affecting the Jazz, Bearskin and Wasaya flight teams.
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 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:
Aviation Colleges and Universities
Algonquin College
Centre québécois de formation aéronautique at Cégep de Chicoutimi
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Confederation College
Mount Royal University
Okanagan College
Sault College
Seneca College
University of Waterloo
University of Western Ontario
Industry Organization Agreements exist with:
Air Cadet League of Canada
Air Canada
Bearskin Airlines
Wasaya Airways
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). 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 4500 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 117 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 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/pathwaysprogram.
About ALPA
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing more than 57,000 pilots at 33 airlines in the United States and Canada. The Jazz Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. represents a total of 1400 Jazz pilots. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
SOURCE Chorus Aviation Inc. 