Jazz welcomes EVAS Air to pilot pathway program

HALIFAX, July 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Gander-based Exploits Valley Air Services ("EVAS") for the carrier to become the nineteenth organization in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program ("Jazz APP"). The partnership was celebrated earlier today at an event attended by Jazz and EVAS employees at the Gander International Airport.

"We are pleased to expand the Jazz APP into Newfoundland and Labrador with the addition of EVAS to our program," said Cal Purves, Director, Flight Operations, Jazz. "This agreement will provide an excellent opportunity for Gander-based pilots to progress their aviation careers and an incentive for those considering a career as a professional airline pilot."

There are two pillars of this agreement:

First, Jazz will refer to EVAS high quality graduates who have progressed through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program at one of our affiliated aviation colleges and universities. Those graduates will have the opportunity to transition to first officer positions at EVAS.

Second, the Jazz APP will provide a direct career path opportunity for qualifying high quality EVAS pilots to transition to first officer positions at Jazz. The career pathway could then continue for those EVAS pilots interested in future opportunities to fly for Air Canada through Jazz's Pilot Mobility Program with the mainline carrier.

Through agreements with 13 colleges and universities, and six industry organizations including EVAS, the Jazz APP provides yet another pilot career pathway for aviation graduates with this latest agreement.

"EVAS is pleased to join the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program," said Patrick White, President and CEO, EVAS. "This agreement is a huge step for flight training in Gander. Benefits to our company are substantial, providing EVAS with qualified new entrant pilots along with furthering the careers of our existing pilots."

The Jazz APP / Air Canada connection

Jazz is Air Canada's largest and longest-serving regional partner and operates approximately 700 flights a day as an integral part of Air Canada's strategy and North American market presence. Jazz is a proud operator of Air Canada Express service to 77 destinations in Canada and the United States with a fleet of 116 aircraft.

Through Jazz's agreement with Air Canada, a professional pilot career with Jazz provides a faster track to flying for Air Canada mainline. Up to 80% of Air Canada's pilots are hired from their Air Canada Express partners; with the majority coming from Jazz. To-date 450 Jazz pilots have transitioned to Air Canada under our Pilot Mobility Program.

About the Jazz APP

For the past 11 years, Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges 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 19 institutions and organizations:

Aviation Colleges, Flight Schools, and Universities:

• Algonquin College
• Brampton Flight Centre
• Centre québécois de formation aéronautique at Cégep de Chicoutimi
• Collège Air Richelieu
• Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
• Confederation College
• Mount Royal University
• Okanagan College
• Ottawa Aviation Services
• 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
• Keewatin Air LP
• Wasaya Airways
• EVAS

For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca/pathwaysprogram.

About Jazz

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). Chorus's vision is to deliver regional aviation to the world.

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 4,500 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 116 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 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.

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About EVAS

EVAS is an aviation company based at Gander International Airport (YQX) in Newfoundland, Canada, with an additional base at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nova Scotia, Canada.

EVAS has been providing a variety of aviation services in Atlantic Canada for over 20 years. Some of these services include: Corporate Air Charters, Air Cargo transportation, and Air Ambulance transfers. Additionally, EVAS is an Express Carrier with Air Canada and operates several daily flights within Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

SOURCE Chorus Aviation Inc.