Eastern Kentucky University partners with Republic Airways

Eastern Kentucky University and Republic Airways have formed a partnership that will give students in the EKU aviation program an additional pathway toward a career through Republic Airways’ RJet Cadet program.

According to an article on Eastern Kentucky University’s website, David McFaddin, the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “We are excited to partner with Republic Airways, a leader in the aviation industry. This collaboration allows us to directly align our academic programs with the workforce needs of the top regional carriers in the country. These pilot pathway programs ensure that our graduates are not only ready to step into key roles but are also equipped to contribute to the long-term success of the aviation industry.”

The aviation program at Eastern Kentucky University is the state’s only four-year aviation program. This partnership, giving students access to the RJet Cadet program, aims to give students another pathway toward employment as a pilot. The program is a conditional offer of employment with Republic Airways as early in the student’s career as their instrument rating. The RJet Cadet program’s website touts the program as the “ideal transition from classroom to cockpit with the nation’s leading regional carriers.”

This is the second such partnership Eastern Kentucky University has established, the first being Allegiant Airlines with the Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program, launched in October 2024. With these partnerships and with the current construction project to build a Flight Training Center at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport, the aviation program is undergoing a number of enhancements to ensure its students are ready for a career as a pilot.

Lucy Utterback, a campus recruiter for Republic Airways, said, “Republic Airways is excited to grow our relationship with Eastern Kentucky University by providing EKU graduates career pathways in aviation. Through partnering with EKU and their students, we are able to offer career opportunities at Republic Airways and help foster growth in the communities and industry we serve.”

For more information about Eastern Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.