Riyadh Air Announces 2025 Appointment for VP Flight Operations, Chief Pilot

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  – Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has appointed Ziad Albaiz as the Vice President for Flight Operations, Chief Pilot.

  • Riyadh Air is targeting a late 2025 commercial launch, with a strategic focus on regional and European markets.

  • Fleet ramp-up is currently constrained by aircraft delivery schedules, with the airline expecting to receive one aircraft per month.

  • Riyadh Air has placed firm orders for:

    • 39 Boeing 787-9 aircraft (none delivered to date)

    • 60 Airbus A321neo (A321-200N) aircraft

    • 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft

Source: Ziad Albaiz (Riyadh Air)

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New Zealand-based Flight School IAANZ Hosts Vietjet Aviation Academy in July 2025

Christchurch, New Zealand – The International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ), a professional flight training organisation and Air New Zealand preferred provider, hosted Vietjet Aviation Academy this week to formalise a collaboration aimed at nurturing future Vietnamese pilots aligned with shared safety standards and excellence.

In February New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Vietjet Aviation Academy (VJAA), Vietjet’s aviation training academy and full flight simulator training center. His official visit coincides with the upgrade of Vietnam-New Zealand relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations—symbolizing trust, connection, and deep cooperation between the two nations across various fields, including economy, trade, education, aviation, tourism, and investment.

Chairwoman Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao warmly welcomed Prime Minister Luxon to Vietjet, reaffirming commitments to economic, diplomatic, cultural, and scientific-technical cooperation during this occasion.

Prime Minister Luxon also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Vietjet Aviation Academy and the International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ). The agreement focuses on training high-quality pilots specifically for Vietnam’s aviation industry and the broader region.

Source: International Aviation Academy of New Zealand
Photo Credit: International Aviation Academy of New Zealand

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Saudia Academy Launches GACA/EASA-Certified Aviation Maintenance Technician Training Program

Saudi ArabiaSaudia Academy, the aviation training arm and full flight simulator training center of the Kingdom’s national carrier Saudia, has announced the launch of a new Aviation Maintenance Technology Program—offering GACA and EASA aircraft maintenance technician certification, open to both domestic and international candidates, with flexible payment terms.

Source: Saudia Academy
Photo Credit: Saudia Academy

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Aviation Distance Learning Provider CPaT Announces New Partnership with Panda Flight Academy

JapanCPaT Global, a leading provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, announced that it has been awarded a new contract with Panda Flight Academy (“PFA”). CPaT will be providing PFA with their Airbus A320 Enhanced Aircraft Systems courses and their Boeing B737NG Aircraft Systems courses and Interactive Classroom for both fleets. 

“CPaT is honored to support PFA with our comprehensive training solutions,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, CPaT’s Vice President of Sales. “This partnership further strengthens CPaT’s footprint in Japan and underscores our commitment to providing innovative, flexible training tools that meet the evolving needs of pilot training organizations around the world.” 

“We are excited to partner with CPaT Global to enhance the quality of training we provide to our airline partners,” said Noriyuki Shibata, Vice president of PFA. “CPaT’s flexible and advanced training solutions, especially for the A320 and B737, allow us to deliver high-quality, cost-effective pilot training. The ability to offer aircraft systems courses fully in Japanese is a major benefit, and something no other provider in the world can match.” 

PFA, a division of All Nippon Airways(“ANA”), with training centers located at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan.

About CPaT
CPaT Global, LLC (CPaT) is the market leader in distance learning for the aviation industry. CPaT delivers software-as-a-service applications to more than 400 global aviation customers, serving 100,000+ individual training users each year. CPaT pioneered the use of distance learning in aviation training 30 years ago and has built on that legacy to offer new and imaginative training solutions that are practical, forward-looking, and invaluable. CPaT transforms aviation instruction by providing smart training solutions, with in-depth content and interactive courseware spanning aircraft systems, general subjects, and operational procedures.

About Panda Flight Academy Inc.
ANA has established PFA on December 1, 2011 to respond to the expansion of the aviation market, including LCC, and to provide efficient training for pilot license holders hired by airlines. We provide high-quality training services based on actual airline experience with high productivity at lower cost, training airline pilots to lead the next era of worldwide services.

Source: CPaT
Photo Credit: CPaT

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