Atlas Air Worldwide renews UAA aviation scholarship funding

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has announced the renewal of its partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to support aviation workforce development.

The announcement, made at Merrill Field with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, extends Atlas’ needs-based scholarship programme for aviation students, bringing the company’s total contribution to $100,000. The initiative aims to help address shortages of pilots, controllers and mechanics while supporting federal efforts to modernise U.S. airspace.

Secretary Duffy, touring UAA’s Aviation Technology Centre with Atlas Air Regional Chief Pilot Tyler Cresswell and UAA President Pat Pitney, praised the company’s role in building the next generation of aviation talent. “President Trump and I are on a mission to make our airspace the envy of the world. We will build a brand-new air traffic control system and address a chronic shortage of controllers and pilots,” Duffy said. He noted that the administration’s One Big, Beautiful Bill had directed over $100 million into the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.

Atlas Air Worldwide Chief Executive Officer Michael Steen said the renewed scholarship support strengthens local aviation education and the broader aerospace sector. “By investing in workforce development locally, we are advancing our commitment to aviation in Alaska and to the resilience of the broader aerospace industry,” Steen said.

The latest funding builds on scholarships announced in 2024 for both maintenance technician students and aspiring pilots. UAA’s aviation programmes prepare graduates for key industry roles, with 273 students entering the sector in 2022 alone. Dean Ray Weber of UAA’s Community & Technical College said Atlas’ support is “transformative” in building a qualified workforce critical to Alaska’s economy.

Anchorage is a strategic hub for Atlas, with over 7,500 departures from Taed Stevens Anchorage International Airport in 2024 and more than 700 locally based pilots and ground staff. The city’s location within 9.5 hours of most major industrial markets underpins its role in global cargo operations and aviation training.