30 January 2026
Press Release
Flight Crowd and Saxon Air Launch Free UK-Wide “Open Skies Pathways” Programme to Inspire the Next Generation of Aviation and Future Flight Professionals
Norwich/London, UK 30.01.2026. Flight Crowd, in partnership with Saxon Air, proudly announces the launch of the Open Skies Pathways programme. A free, UK-wide careers and skills initiative designed to inspire and support young people on their journey into Aviation, Future Flight, and Sustainable Transport careers. The programme aims to open doors for those who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities, ensuring that the future of flight is inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all.
Funded by the ‘Reach for the Sky’ Challenge Fund, organised by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Open Skies Pathways represents a major step forward in creating equitable access to the aviation and aerospace industries.
A Journey into the Future of Flight
Open Skies Pathways is more than a one-off experience, it’s a journey. Open to young people aged 14–19 (and up to 25 for those with SEND), the programme offers a series of immersive workshops, live aviation experiences, and interactive career panels. Each activity is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring adaptive resources and formats that cater to different interests, abilities, and learning styles.
Participants will gain hands-on exposure to the world of aviation and future flight technologies, while connecting with professionals and mentors who can guide them toward exciting career opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector.
A Personal Mission to Break Barriers
The programme’s focus on those who face barriers accessing work experience, including students from ethnic minority groups, young people with SEND and neurodiversity, first-generation and underrepresented students, is deeply personal. Having arrived in the UK at 16 and built her career from scratch, Flight Crowd’s Founder, Mariya Tarabanovska, understands the challenges of navigating opportunity without role models or support. Mariya commented that “We are focusing on those who struggle to get into their dream career, not because it’s a ‘nice thing to do’. It’s the path that I and a lot of the Flight Crowd community have walked. It’s our story too; and our backgrounds, challenges we’ve overcome, and our learnings are what shaped us. And so, Flight Crowd are here to help young people feel proud of who they are, where they’ve come from and help combine their interests, skills and abilities into an exciting career. We believe that the future of Aviation belongs to everyone and therefore should be shaped by everyone.”
Empowering Young People to Soar
Open Skies Pathways helps young people to:
The programme ensures that students’ voices are not only heard but valued, creating a more inclusive and accessible aviation sector designed with them in mind. By equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and connections they need, Open Skies Pathways aims to create lasting impact beyond the scheme.
All sessions are recorded and transformed into digital learning resources, with workbooks and activities remaining available to participants throughout their careers via Flight Crowd’s dedicated digital platform.
Building an Inclusive and Diverse Aerospace Future
At the heart of Flight Crowd and Saxon Air’s mission is a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Both organisations recognise that the future of mobility and transportation depends on people from all walks of life bringing their unique skills and perspectives to the table. Whether interested in science, engineering, architecture, business, finance, psychology, art, or design, there is a place for everyone in the future of flight.
Alex Durand, CEO of Saxon Air commented that “We are thrilled to launch Open Skies Pathways with Flight Crowd and with the support of the CAA and the DfT. This programme is about breaking down barriers and showing young people that there’s a place for them in aviation, no matter their background or experience.”
The Story Behind Open Skies Pathways
Our organisations’ senior leaders, Mariya and Alex, met in 2024 when they were appointed Department for Transport Aviation Ambassadors. Through a shared passion for volunteering, outreach, and supporting young talent, Flight Crowd and Saxon Air joined forces in 2025 to increase our impact, inspire more learners to engage with sustainable aviation, and empower students to shape the future of flight.
-Ends
About Flight Crowd
Flight Crowd is an award-winning UK-based non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting public engagement with the Future of Flight. Through education, outreach, and collaboration, Flight Crowd works to build a more inclusive and sustainable aerospace industry that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Website: flight-crowd.com
LinkedIn: Flight Crowd
Instagram: flight_crowd
Programme Funding
The Open Skies Pathways programme is proudly funded by the ‘Reach for the Sky’ Challenge Fund, an initiative by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to support projects that inspire and prepare young people for careers in aviation and aerospace.
Booking information
Places are now open and run on limited numbers to ensure quality and interaction throughout.
To learn more, register your interest as a participant or volunteer: https://www.flight-crowd.com/open-skies-pathways
Categories: Aviation, Careers and outreach, Flight Training, Partnerships