Atlas Air Expands Commitment to Future Aviation Workforce with the University of Alaska Anchorage
- Joe Breitfeller
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Atlas Air Worldwide has today reaffirmed their partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage for development of the future aviation industry workforce. Atlas and UAA leaders were joined by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for the announcement.
On Wednesday (August 13, 2025), Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, the leading global provider of outsourced aviation logistics solutions, announced an expansion of their partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), for aviation workforce development. Leaders from Atlas and UAA, along with faculty and students, were joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy at Merrill Field in Anchorage for today’s announcement. Secretary Duffy is spearheading the Trump Administration’s efforts to invest in the aviation workforce, modernize the air traffic control system, enhance safety, and address nationwide shortages of pilots, controllers, and mechanics. Atlas Air also announced their continued support of needs-based scholarships to UAA, bringing the company’s total contribution to $100,000.
Speaking at Merrill Field in Anchorage today, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, said,
“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. President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill delivered over $100 million into the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative to deploy state of the art technology and train the next generation of aviation talent. I applaud Atlas Air Worldwide for doing their part to contribute to this mission.”
Also commenting on the expansion of their partnership with UAA, Alaska Air Worldwide’s CEO, Michael Steen, said,
“We are proud to continue our partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage by creating opportunities to advance aviation education. By investing in workforce development locally, we are advancing our commitment to aviation in Alaska, and to the resilience of the broader aerospace industry. We are fully dedicated to supporting the efforts led by President Trump and Secretary Duffy to make our airspace the global gold standard.”
UAA’s Community & Technical College Dean, Ray Weber, added,
“We are grateful to Atlas Air Worldwide for its continued investment in UAA and our students. This generous donation is transformative, helping us build a more qualified workforce that is vital to Alaska’s economic future and the broader industry. Thanks to Atlas, our students are gaining the training and credentials needed to pursue fulfilling careers, securing brighter prospects for the state’s workforce and beyond.”
Located within 9.5 hours by plane of 90 percent of the industrial world, Anchorage serves as a vital hub for global commerce, training and talent development, and also plays a key role in Atlas Air’s operations. Annual Atlas departures at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) grew to more than 7,500 in 2024, supported by over 700 Anchorage based Pilots and ground staff.
White Plains, New York-based Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of third-party aircraft and aviation operating services. Company subsidiaries include Atlas Air and Titan Aviation Holdings. Additionally, the company owns a majority stake in Polar Air Cargo Worldwide. Together, the Atlas Air family of companies operate the world’s largest Boeing 747 Freighter fleet. The company also offers their customers a wide selection of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.
Source: Atlas Air Worldwide
