All Nippon Airways has created Japan’s first flight training course as part of a four-year university degree, in partnership with Tokai University, outside Tokyo, to ensure a supply of qualified pilots in the future.

Students at the university’s aeronautics and astronautics department will be able to qualify as pilots and gain a bachelor’s degree at the same time. The first intake is planned for April.

Talks are under way with North Dakota University to provide the flight training element, meaning that students will spend 14-16 months in the USA and will be qualified as pilots both there and in Japan.

ANA president and chief executive Mineo Yamamoto says the course is “an innovative newway to deal with the impending pilot shortage. We can invest in the future of the young people of our country and at the same time provide another source of pilot training.”

Source: Flight International

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