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, selecting University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware State University (both HBCUs) as its initial participants.
Designed by African-American pilots, the program aims to make pilot careers more accessible by funding flight lab fees, offering mentorship, and guaranteeing First Officer positions with Horizon Air.
The True North program addresses the significant financial barrier of pilot training costs and supports Alaska Airlines' goal of achieving 30% racial diversity by 2025.

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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).