Etihad re-launches aviation training academy

Rebranded operation expands programmes externally not just Etihad Airways, Tony Douglas says

Abu Dhabi's Etihad Aviation Group relaunched its flight training academy, opening programmes to operators other than Etihad Airways for the first time. The National / Roland Magunia

Etihad Aviation Training, part of Etihad Aviation Group, has relaunched its aviation training organisation under a new name, as it seeks to tap into rising demand for industry training worldwide, it said on Friday.

“The growth of the business will mirror the expansion of the global training market and we are excited about our expanding portfolio of programmes and products. These services are accessible to Etihad Airways and now, for the first time, to external customers,” said Tony Douglas, group chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, which owns Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier Etihad Airways.

Etihad Aviation Training was previously known as Etihad Flight College. It offers a range of training products and services, including airline training, type rating, cabin crew safety training, instructor training and cadet programmes, as well as aircraft maintenance training, and is one of the largest training facilities in the Middle East.

The business currently has 10 full-flight simulators in operation, while two additional devices will arrive later this year, including the first Airbus A350-900 simulator and a third Boeing 787-9 simulator.

This will enable Etihad Aviation Training to take advantage of increasing global training demand, particularly from within the GCC, Europe, Indian sub-continent, Africa and Southeast Asia, Etihad said.

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Dubai’s flag carrier Emirates has also enhanced its training operations lately. It opened the Emirates Flight Training Academy close to Al Maktoum International Airport during Dubai Air Show last November.

Etihad Aviation Training’s packages offer access to the Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) programmes delivered from the company’s Flight Training Organisation based in Al Ain.

“By expanding and redeveloping our facilities within the UAE, we are able to offer a one-stop solution to our customers – from individual pilots to global airlines, and I’m confident that we will grow to become a globally recognised aviation training centre,” said Captain Paolo La Cava, director of Etihad Aviation Training.

Etihad Aviation Group’s UAE National Cadet Pilot Training programme has to date trained 231 UAE nationals, 91 of whom are active flight crew in Etihad today, with a further 200-plus cadets continuing through the programme during 2018-2022, the group said.