ALAS Pilot Academy Graduates 42 New Panamanian Professionals. With a projection to hire 350 pilots in the next three years, the airline bets on talent trained in its own academy under a non-profit model. In this cohort, the participation of 14 women stands out, representing 33% of the group, a significant figure that reflects the growing female interest in aeronautical careers in the country.
Technical Training and Professionalism Captain Pedro Herrera, director of the ALAS Pilot Academy, emphasized that becoming a professional pilot requires discipline and training that go beyond technical study. Captain Bolívar Domínguez González, Vice President of Flight Operations at Copa Airlines, reported that the company has 1,445 pilots and projects the incorporation of more than 350 professionals in the next three years to support the expansion of the fleet and the Hub of the Americas®. For those interested in joining, the selection process is open year-round for Panamanians over 19 years of age with advanced English proficiency and completed secondary education.
Financial Support and Career Access ALAS's training model is distinguished as a non-profit institution subsidized by Copa Airlines, which allows it to offer costs below the industry average. The new professionals, who have successfully completed their training, will soon integrate into the airline's operations.
Growth Projections in the Sector Since its founding, the academy has trained about 300 Panamanian pilots. For this cohort, 61% of graduates used financing from IFARHU and 52% were beneficiaries of the Copa–UNPAC scholarship. Currently, 191 students are in various stages of instruction, maintaining a 30% proportion of women in its ranks.
