Alaska Airlines Launches Program for Aspiring Black Pilots

Ashley Barajas

Monday, January 03, 2022 at 02:01 PM ET

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True North will allow aspiring black pilots a direct path to the airlines. [Courtesy: Alaska Airlines]

Key Takeaways:

Alaska Airlines launched the True North Pilot Pathway Program, partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware State University.
The program aims to increase racial diversity in aviation and make pilot careers more accessible by removing financial barriers and providing a direct career path.
Participants receive funding for flight lab fees, access to mentorship and internship opportunities, and a guaranteed first officer position with Horizon Air upon completion.

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Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) announced Friday that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware State University have been chosen as the first schools to participate in the company’s new True North Pilot Pathway Program.

The program was designed by a group of African-American pilots to make becoming a pilot more accessible and to clear a more direct path for their careers. Both schools are HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities).