Boeing Expands Pilot Development Program with Okay Airways

Boeing (NYSE: BA) has expanded its commercial Pilot Development Program (PDP) with the addition of Okay Airways to its growing customer list. The airline joins recent customers Kunming Airlines and YTO Airlines. All three carriers are based in China.

Through the Pilot Development Program, Boeing works with a network of flight schools around the globe to provide airlines with comprehensive commercial training including screening PDP cadets, managing student performance and correction, and developing commercial pilot training courses and materials. The comprehensive program includes ab-initio—pilot training from zero-flight-hour experience through advanced flight training—and is designed to develop cadets into 737 type-rated first officers.

"This strategic cooperation deepens our relationship with Boeing, and allows us to lay a solid foundation for training and a steady stream of talent," said Dr. Li Zonglin, CEO of Okay Airways. "The Pilot Development Program offers pragmatic and effective training, with continuous improvement of training quality."

"Boeing's Pilot Development Program is just one way that our Boeing Global Services team is delivering solutions to meet the needs of customers, both in China and around the globe," said Keith Cooper, vice president of Training & Professional Services, Boeing Global Services. "The commercial aviation market is experiencing an unprecedented demand for pilots, and we anticipate this to continue for the next several years. We're committed to supporting the full lifecycle of an aircraft, and through our training business, we're helping to ensure that our airline customers have pilots available to fly them."