SkyWest Airlines Partners with Southwest Airlines’ Destination 225° Program

The Destination 225° program establishes a career path from initial training to a career as a Southwest pilot. [Courtesy: Southwest Airlines]

SkyWest Airlines (NASDAQ: SKYW) announced on Thursday a new partnership with Southwest Airlines (NASDAQ: LUV) career pathway program Destination 225°. This partnership will give aspiring aviators more career opportunities following initial flight training. Students looking to become a Southwest first officer can build professional flying experience at SkyWest before making the transition to Southwest.

“We are excited to partner with Southwest to support this unique program designed to help pilots continue building exceptional careers every step of the way,” Tracy Gallo, SkyWest senior vice president of flight operations, said in a statement. “SkyWest is known for our outstanding team of professional pilots, and we look forward to this new partnership.”

The Destination 225° program establishes a career path from initial training, followed by time building in a professional setting like SkyWest, to ultimately becoming a first officer at Southwest Airlines. Throughout the process, candidates in the program receive mentorship from Southwest pilots.

Alan Kasher, Southwest’s senior vice president of air operations, said the addition of the SkyWest partnership will attract students to the Destination 225° Program. “We are thrilled to help attract professional aviators to SkyWest while partnering to develop candidates for future first officer opportunities at Southwest Airlines. We expect to hire thousands of first officers over the coming years, and we look forward to offering this new path for skilled SkyWest pilots to pursue a career with the Southwest team.”

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Ashley BarajasWriter

Based in Texas, Ashley is the former Marketing Manager at FLYING and focuses deeply on training and education. She graduated from the Baylor Institute for Air Science with a Bachelor's in Aviation Science and holds an MBA specializing in Marketing. She is an also instrument rated private pilot and licensed FAA dispatcher.