Archives: Market Intelligences

Airbus Flight Academy and The Aviator Institute from Tunisia Join Forces to Introduce Ab Initio Training in Africa and Middle East

Tunisia – Airbus Flight Academy (AFA) and The Aviator Institute (TAI), formerly Safe Flight Academy, have signed a partnership agreement during the 2025 Dubai Airshow to introduce the Airbus ab initio pilot-training programme in Tunisia. The collaboration marks the first Airbus Flight Academy network partnership in Africa and the Middle East, expanding Airbus’ global training footprint and supporting long-term pilot-supply requirements across the region.

  • Under the agreement, Airbus will align TAI’s operational standards, instructor training, and facilities with its latest ab initio training framework.

  • The first cadets are expected to begin training in March 2026, with a planned ramp-up enabling TAI to train more than 80 cadets per year.

  • TAI operates from Tunis and Monastir, leveraging favourable year-round weather and more than 15 years of flight-training experience.

  • The academy’s fleet of Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft, combined with advanced simulators and modern facilities, provides an infrastructure suited to Airbus’ airline-ready ab initio training model.

Statements

  • “Becoming Airbus Flight Academy network’s partner is a recognition of the quality and maturity of our training model… This collaboration accelerates our ambition to position Tunisia as a regional aviation hub and to offer young talents a direct pathway to the cockpit.” Anis Faidi, CEO, The Aviator Institute.

  • “Through this collaboration… we continue to expand our ability to serve both airline customers training their cadets and individual aspiring pilots pursuing a self-sponsored path to the cockpit.” Laurent Negre, Vice President, Customer Services, Airbus Africa and Middle East.

  • “The Tunisian flight school brings its 15 years of experience to build the right competencies in order to graduate airline-ready pilots. It contributes to continuously enhance safety through a greater quality of training, which are the core objectives of our ab initio training. Operating from Tunis and Monastir, TAI will deliver the Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme (ATPi) using its modern fleet and high-end facilities. Thank you very much Anis Faidi for your trust, we know we can count on you and the The Aviator Institute team for the future!” stated Thomas Aoudia.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Safe Flight Academy

Related Posts

Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise Expands Investment in Greece

Greece – Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE), through its training division Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA), has announced an expansion of its Greek operations, including infrastructure investments at Heraklion Airport and a strategic intake initiative targeting GCC aspiring pilots.

  • IAE will invest further in Greece, particularly at Heraklion Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis), where enhancements include aircraft fleet upgrades aimed at improving operational efficiency and service quality.

  • Intercontinental Aviation Academy (FlyIAA), in collaboration with local partner Cretan Eagle Aviation, is launching an exclusive intake program for aspiring pilots from the GCC region.

  • Beginning January 2026, limited EASA pilot training seats will be reserved for students from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar.

  • The Greece-based FlyIAA Academy offers an accelerated ATPL programme with a 16–18 month timeline, leveraging favourable Mediterranean flying conditions and modern training infrastructure.

  • The fleet includes Diamond DA40s, Piper Seneca PA-34s, and the AL250 FNPT II simulator—supporting both VFR/IFR and multi-engine training.

  • This move aligns with FlyIAA’s multi-base expansion model, which includes facilities in the UAE, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Greece, targeting global and regional pilot training markets.

Source: Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise
Photo Credit: Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise

Related Posts

New Helicopter Training Centre Breaks Ground in 2025 – Planned Delivery of Reiser H135/145 FFS in 2027

Netherlands – European Heli Center (EHC) has begun construction on a state-of-the-art helicopter training centre at Lelystad Airport, set to become its new headquarters. The facility will house a REISER H135/H145 Level D full-flight simulator and is designed to support advanced multi-mission helicopter training across a broad spectrum of civil and government operators.

  • The new centre, announced at VERTICON 2025 and now under construction, will feature a REISER-built Level D full-flight simulator for roll-on/roll-off Airbus H135/H145 platforms, scheduled for operation by Q1 2027.
  • EHC’s upcoming headquarters will offer multi-mission training, catering to emergency medical services (EMS), offshore transport, law enforcement, military, and commercial flight operations.
  • EHC currently operates a fleet of 21 helicopters across its existing training centres in the Netherlands and Norway.

Statements

  • “We are proud to see this project advancing exactly as planned. The start of construction brings us one step closer to delivering a modern and efficient training capability for operators worldwide.” – Dr. Johannes Hain, CEO, Reiser Simulation and Training
  • “Together with REISER, we are creating a facility that will define the future of helicopter training in Europe.” – Jeroen Peddemors, CEO, European Heli Center

Source: European Heli Center

Related Posts

Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy Welcomes ICP Batch 09 with Over 30 Cadets in November 2025

India – Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), which operates multiple flight training bases in India, marked the induction of its Indigo Cadet Pilot (ICP) Program Batch 09. Welcoming 38 new cadets as part of its integrated commercial pilot training program. The event included an introductory session focused on shaping future aviators with professionalism and personal discipline. The induction programme featured a session led by Group HR Head Shilpika Raheja, emphasizing the importance of personality development and etiquette in aviation careers.

The CAA IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program was launched in 2019 and has since produced hundreds of cockpit-ready pilots through a blend of rigorous training, disciplined mentorship, and operational alignment with airline standards.

Source: Chimes Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Chimes Aviation Academy

Related Posts

Simaero and OpenAirlines Partner to Equip Airlines with Training to Operations Solutions for Sustainable Aviation

France – Simaero, a global operator of full flight simulator training centers, has entered into a strategic partnership with French clean-tech specialist OpenAirlines to embed fuel efficiency and eco-flying analytics into simulator-based pilot training. The collaboration aims to support airlines in achieving both operational and environmental performance goals.

  • The partnership integrates OpenAirlines’ SkyBreathe® fuel optimisation technology directly into Simaero’s simulator training curriculum.
  • Pilot trainees will now be equipped with data-driven insights into fuel efficiency from the outset of their training, aligning with evolving regulatory and cost-efficiency demands.
  • The joint initiative began in October 2025, with global implementation planned across Simaero’s training centres in France, South Africa, China, and India.
  • The solution aims to bridge the gap between pilot training and airline operations, enabling airlines to scale sustainability practices and instil eco-efficient behaviours early in pilot development.
  • The collaboration positions sustainability and operational performance as core training pillars, which is critical as airlines worldwide increase focus on emissions reduction.

Statements

  • “We envision an aviation future where operational excellence and environmental stewardship are seamlessly integrated outcomes. Airlines partnering with us don’t just receive trained pilots, they gain champions who contribute to both immediate profitability and long-term environmental goals. This collaboration represents the aviation industry’s evolution toward intelligent, data-driven operations where every flight optimizes both performance and planet impact, ensuring airlines thrive in an increasingly sustainability-focused marketplace.” – Nicolas Mouté, CEO, Simaero
  • “This partnership reflects our commitment to sharing our knowledge as widely as possible. By working with Simaero, we are combining two complementary strengths: their excellence in training and our expertise in fuel efficiency. Together, we aim to accelerate the shift towards a more responsible and efficient aviation industry.” – Alexandre Feray, CEO, OpenAirlines

Source: Simaero
Photo Credit: Simaero

Related Posts