United Airlines Owns and Operates Flight Training Academy

United Airlines expanded its Aviate pilot program by signing a purchase agreement to become the only major U.S. carrier to own a flight training academy. The United Aviate Academy will give the airline more visibility and direction over the recruitment, development and training of future pilots, enabling United to increase the percentage of women and minorities who become pilots. United expects approximately 300 students to graduate from the United Aviate Academy in its first full year of operation.

The flight training academy – currently operating asWestwind School of Aeronautics in Phoenix, Arizona, – will be an extension ofthe airline's Aviate program, a pilot development and recruitment program thatoffers aspiring aviators a direct path of becoming a United pilot. The airlineanticipates hiring more than 10,000 pilots by 2029.

"We have developed the Aviate program in collaborationwith the Air Line Pilots Association, International to have greater influenceon the next generation of aviators at United," said Captain Bebe O'Neil,United's managing director of Aviate. "Launching our own academy providesus with the unique opportunity to not only ensure we maintain the ideal numberof quality candidates within our pilot pipeline, but also play a significantrole in recruiting, developing and welcoming those with diverse backgrounds tothe United family."

Those who apply to Aviate and are successful in theselection process will receive a program acceptance job offer with United.Aviate also provides support and coaching for pilots to develop into leaderswho exemplify the professionalism, level of excellence and commitment toproviding safe, caring, dependable and efficient service that United expectsfrom its pilots. Additionally, Aviate provides those who aspire to a career asa United captain with the most direct route to achieving that goal.

In addition to launching the flight academy, United plans toreduce financial barriers to joining the program, making the dream of becominga United pilot even more accessible to more individuals. The carrier iscurrently engaging with financial institutions with the goal of makingattractive financing terms – such as industry-tailored grace periods andcompetitive interest rates – available to qualified individuals. Additionally,United plans to launch a scholarship program specifically focused onencouraging women and minorities to consider joining the United family. Theairline will provide more details regarding these financing options as theybecome available.

Aviate currently has 15 partners including FlightSafety International’s FlightSafety Academy, which was recently selected.