Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy, a flight school based in Indianapolis, Indiana launched by Republic Airways in 2018, is expanding its flight training operations this fall to the Scholes International Airport in Galveston.
LIFT Academy plans to begin operating in Galveston in late November, initially utilizing hangar and office space for its Indianapolis winter operations, with the anticipation of expanding operations into a full-time island facility for its flight training program. The company is the latest tenant at Scholes International Airport and reflects our investments in airport facilities and increased efforts to attract new business to the airport.
“The airport has worked hard to secure grants and build its business in order to improve its facilities and establish itself as a top tier airport,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “These efforts are paying off and attracting new tenants to the airport.”
LIFT Academy ultimately chose Galveston because of the excellent airport facilities and proximity to Houston.
While Scholes International Airport is a municipally owned airport, it does not receive any ad valorem tax dollars and must fund itself through its operations. There are currently 62 tenants at the airport, which contribute $1,343,250 to the airport through leasing contracts.
LIFT Academy is owned by Republic Airways, one of the largest regional airlines in the United States. Republic Airways is the only regional airline to operate its own flight training academy, and LIFT Academy’s innovative, cutting-edge program provides aviators with the skills they need to succeed and a defined pathway to a career at Republic Airways.