Training

Dubai, 26th May 2025: flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier had last week announced the launch of its Ab Initio Pilot Training programme, in partnership with international overseas flight training partners. This initiative comes as part of the airline’s workforce strategy to meet the growing demands of its expanding fleet and network over the next decade. flydubai operates fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft to more than 130 destinations. With more than 125 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and 30 Boeing 787s on order, this is a unique opportunity for aspiring pilots to join a Multi-Pilot License (MPL) programme, develop essential flying skills and launch a rewarding aviation career with flydubai. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Dubai has emerged as one of the global aviation hubs by not only connecting the world, but also attracting skilled talent who choose to make the city their home. We are proud to have played a key role in supporting Dubai’s aviation and economic vision and we will continue to invest in initiatives that grow our skilled workforce, who contribute to the success of this industry. This programme opens the door to homegrown Emirati talent, as well as residents and international applicants, who are passionate about aviation, to pursue a career in one of the most thriving hubs in the world.”

Gurgaon,02 April 2025: Skyborne Airline Academy is welcoming 40 new cadets to the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program with Skyborne, after a Letter of Intent (LoI) ceremony in Gurgaon, India. Following a competitive application process, the successful cadets will commence the first phase of their flight training at the academy’s base in Florida, United States, before returning to India for their flight license conversion and type rating. After successfully completing the program, the graduates will go on to fly with India’s leading airline as A320 First Officers. Rina Basu, Regional Director (Asia Pacific), Skyborne, says,“Since Skyborne’s partnership with IndiGo began in 2019, we’ve supported India’s aviation industry in meeting workforce demand and tackling pilot shortages. Now, with our largest intake ever, we’re proud to continue supplying IndiGo with passionate and bright cadets who are committed to becoming highly skilled commercial pilots.” Skyborne’s 2025 intake includes two former cabin crew for IndiGo and a strong female contingent, with 21% women cadets, well above the global average of 6%*(Women pilots represent around 6% of the global pilot population.)

New Delhi,March 27, 2025: Melstarr Aviations Tech has signed a MoU with Vector Technorium for the design-build & execution of Melstarr’s proposed greenfield Flight Training Organization (FTO).This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the development of a world-class flight training facility aimed at setting new standards in pilot education and aviation infrastructure. The proposed FTO will be a state-of-the-art flight school, meticulously designed to provide the highest quality pilot training, combining cutting-edge infrastructure with the latest advancements in aviation technology. The facility will feature premium architectural design and engineering, reflecting the combined expertise of Melstarr Aviations Tech and Vector Technorium. Under the terms of the MoU, Vector Technorium will leverage its extensive experience in aviation infrastructure and engineering to design and construct the entire FTO complex, including advanced hangars and custom-designed hangar doors. The facility will be built to meet international standards, ensuring that the training environment is not only functional but also aesthetically superior and technologically advanced. Melstarr’s FTO will offer a comprehensive training curriculum tailored to equip aspiring pilots with the necessary skills to meet the evolving demands of the global aviation industry. The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art flight simulators, modern classrooms, and dedicated maintenance facilities to provide a holistic training experience. The hangars, designed and constructed by Vector Technorium, will incorporate innovative design elements and engineering solutions to optimize operational efficiency and safety. Capt. Tarun Kashyap, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Melstarr Aviations expressed his excitement about the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Vector Technorium, a leader in aviation infrastructure and engineering. This partnership reflects our commitment to developing a world-class flight training institution that will set a benchmark in the industry. Vector Technorium’s deep expertise in aviation infrastructure gives us the confidence that the project will be executed to the highest standards.” Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Anirrban Batacharrya, Director of Vector Technorium, stated,”We are proud to be associated with Melstarr Aviations Tech in this ambitious project. At Vector Technorium, we are dedicated to delivering innovative design-build solutions for the aviation sector. This partnership represents a step towards strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure and providing aspiring pilots with a world-class training environment.” The signing of the MoU marks the beginning of an exciting phase for both companies. Construction of the FTO is expected to commence in the coming months, with both parties committed to delivering the project on schedule and to the highest quality standards.

Warsaw, Poland, March 12, 2025: Embraer and Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, Poland based research institute, have signed an agreement to work together on new aircraft technologies and materials. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed today in Warsaw by Sylwester Wyka – Acting Director of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, and Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. Łukasiewicz – ILOT is one of Europe’s prominent aviation research facilities for aviation, unmanned and space technologies. Together Łukasiewicz – ILOT and Embraer will begin cooperation by focusing efforts on research and development activities in the fields of materials, future flight technologies, aeronautical design and future maintenance processes. “This MoU marks the beginning of a technological bridge between Poland and South America. Through collaboration with Embraer, we are combining our expertise with a global industry leader to jointly develop cutting-edge aviation and materials technologies. This partnership not only strengthens the position of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation as a research hub but also highlights the importance of Polish engineering and science in shaping a safer, more efficient, and sustainable aerospace industry” – said Sylwester Wyka, PhD, Acting Director of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation. Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, said, “This agreement with Łukasiewicz – ILOT is a key part of our plan to deepen our 25-year engagement with the Polish aerospace ecosystem. Łukasiewicz – ILOT is a globally renowned research institute with expertise in critical technologies at the heart of the future aviation. We are proud to become Łukasiewicz – ILOT’s partners and look forward to the results that can be achieved together.”

Dubai,7th February 2025: flydubai’s Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, inspected the new state-of-the-art Flight Training centre which is set to officially open its doors in the coming few weeks. During his visit, the chairman was given a tour of the Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) and Training Facility located on the grounds of the flydubai Campus. The tour included a visit of the briefing/de-briefing rooms, classrooms and high-tech computer-based training rooms as well as the Boeing 737 Full-Flight Simulators (FFS). H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said: “I am pleased to see the flydubai Flight Training centre become a reality today. This is a vital part of flydubai’s growth strategy and reflects its unwavering commitment to innovation, increased operational efficiency and investing in developing its inhouse capabilities to support future plans as well as Dubai’s position as a global hub for aviation.” The new multimillion dollar, 38,000 square feet Flight Training centre is home to six simulator bays, offering a capacity of more than 43,000 training hours a year. The building’s modular construction design allows for future expansion. Two simulators have been installed with two additional simulators to be added to the facility before the end of 2026. The increased flexibility in flydubai’s pilot training schedules and on-demand access to the simulator bays will enable further expansion of the airline’s training capabilities, which can be extended to other airlines in the future.

Gurugram , 19th December, 2024: Air India has placed an order for 34 trainer aircraft as it prepares to start training of cadet pilots at its upcoming Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra by the second half of 2025, post regulatory approvals.The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria.The FTO is a leap forward in Air India’s commitment to bolster its training infrastructure as part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program and cultivate a pipeline of pilotsas it expands its fleet, becoming self-reliant.The trainer aircraft, due for delivery starting 2025, are equipped with glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems and Jet A1 engines that will ensure advanced training for aspiring pilots. The FTO is coming up at Amravati’s Belora airport and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year. “The new FTO is a strategic move to exponentially expand our training infrastructure and our commitment to building a self-reliant ecosystem of qualified pilots for both Air India and the Indian aviation industry. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation, we are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India. As part of its commitment to invest in aviation training, Air India opened its new Aviation Training Academy, spread over 600,000 sq ft, the largest in South Asia, in Gurugram. It is also the first airline in India to announce the setting up of an FTO that will complement Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years. At the FTO in Amravati, Air India is developing a state-of-the-art training institute over 10 acres, with digitally enabled classrooms at par with global academies, hostels, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The FTO is curated to deliver best-in-class training with high safety standards.

Mumbai, 5th December 2024: Avion, an innovative provider of pilot training devices headquartered in The Netherlands, and Gen24 FLYBIZare has announced the installation of an Airbus A320 Level D Full Flight Simulator. This cutting-edge training device is now ready for testing and tuning, followed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) qualification process at their brand-new training centre in Mumbai, India. The installation marks a significant milestone for Avion, representing the first of six Full Flight Simulators planned for the Avion Flight Training Centre in Mumbai. Manoj Pandey, Group CEO of Avion and Gen24 FLYBIZ, shared his excitement:”The installation of this state-of-the-art Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator in Mumbai is a proud moment for us. It underscores our commitment to supporting aviation professionals with cutting-edge training solutions and expanding our footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. At AFTC Mumbai, we are creating a world-class hub for pilot training in India that aligns with the evolving needs of the industry.”The second Full Flight Simulator has also arrived at the facility, and installation shall be undertaken shortly.The centre will also be equipped with a Fixed Base FNPT II-MCC for A320 in April 2025. Designed with sustainability at its core, the device consumes minimal energy while maintaining exceptional performance. This aligns with Avion’s vision of offering environmentally friendly and cost-efficient training solutions.The Mumbai training centre is expected to become a cornerstone for aviation training in the region. Withthe installation of two Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulators, Avion and Gen24 FLYBIZ reaffirm their commitment to shaping the future of pilot training in India. Both companies look forward to welcoming airlines and aviation professionals to this high-endtraining facility in 2025.

New Delhi, November 26, 2024: Pilot and aviation training in India has received a significant boost as France-headquartered Simaero, a leading provider in pilot training and simulation engineering solutions, announced the signing of its first A320 NEO full-flight simulator for its state-of-the-art training facility set to open in Delhi NCR in early 2025. To deliver its first simulator in India, Simaero has partnered with HAVELSAN, a prominent Turkish manufacturer. The new HAVELSAN manufactured A320 NEO device will add to the group’s growing global fleet of 30+ active full-flight simulators and will be ready-for-training by Q2 2025.The signing ceremony was held at the national capital in the presence of dignitaries from France, Turkey and India which included top officials of Simaero and HAVELSAN. The French aviation training firm’s signing of the first simulator training facility comes at a time when India is poised for a boom in the aviation sector and experts have forecasted an unprecedented requirement of trained pilots. This first full-flight simulator, to represent Airbus’ variant A320 NEO, the narrow-body, commercial passenger twin engine jet airliner, which is immensely popular in the Indian aviation space for short to medium range of travel. One A320 NEO full-fight simulator can cover close to 6,000 hours of flight crew training. According to a senior official from the France-headquartered firm Simaero, which has committed $100 million to developing aviation training infrastructure in India, the installation of the full-flight simulator is the first of eight planned simulators at the company’s new training centre in the national capital. This will soon be followed by the addition of other simulators representing widely used narrow-body aircraft, including the ATR 72-600 and B737. “India’s aviation sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increased regional connectivity and record orders for single-aisle aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 aircraft family. Partnering with HAVELSAN to introduce the first A320 NEO full-flight simulator at our Delhi facility marks the initial step in our commitment to addressing the rapidly growing demand for pilot training in the country. Our new facility in Delhi will provide high-quality, cost-effective training solutions, reducing the need for airlines to send pilots abroad for training—an expensive proposition,” said Khushbeg Jattana, General Manager of Simaero India. “As HAVELSAN, we are incredibly excited about the deployment of our Airbus A320 neo full flight simulator to Simaero. This milestone is not only a proud moment for us but also a reflection of the trust we’ve earned from global training centres like Simaero. Over the years, we’ve worked tirelessly to develop cutting-edge simulators that meet the highest standards of quality and safety, and this delivery proves that our commitment is being recognized internationally. We are thrilled to support Simaero’s world-class pilot training programs and look forward to continuing to strengthen our global partnerships in aviation.” stated Mehmet Akif Nacar, Ph.D CEO of HAVELSAN.