Archives: Market Intelligences

German Pilot Training Organization Names New Chief Flight Instructor in 2024

Berlin, Germany-based SKY4U, a well-known simulator training company which amongst other programs offers a Ryanair-approved APS MCC, has announced the appointment of Michael Brannath as its new Chief Flight Instructor.

Statement:

  • “After already working with this incredible team for the past couple of years, I’m honored to step into this new leadership position. SKY4u Aviation Service is committed to delivering top-tier flight training, and I look forward to helping shape the next generation of aviation professionals. With a passion for aviation and a dedication to excellence, I am excited to contribute to the continued growth and success of SKY4u,” said Michael Brannath.

Learn more about SKY4u Aviation Service GmbH or Brannath by connecting with him through his LinkedIn profile here.

Source: Michael Brannath (SKY4u Aviation Service GmbH)

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Brussels Airlines Joins Europe’s Largest Aviation Gathering Pilot Expo 2025 Taking Place in Brussels in February 2025

Brussels, Belgium – Pilot Expo has announced the participation of Brussels Airlines in Pilot Expo 2025, set to take place in the airline’s home city on February 21 – 22, 2025 at Skyhall, Brussels Airport, Belgium. The event, one of Europe’s largest aviation career fairs, will feature opportunities for aspiring aviation professionals to connect with Brussels Airlines and explore career paths.

Brussels Airlines’ fleet comprised of A319, A320, A320neo, and A330. The airline has a cadet program in collaboration with Skywings Flight Training Academy offering partial sponsorship. Brussels Airlines is currently looking for Cabin Crew Members and A320 Type Rated and Non Type Rated First Officers.

About Pilot Expo
The International Pilot Recruitment and Training Expo is Europe’s largest aircrew recruitment and training event, attracting over 5,000 visitors, 100+ exhibitors, and 50+ speakers. It serves as an excellent platform where experienced pilots, recent flight school graduates, and aspiring aviators connect with major airlines, recruitment agencies, and training organizations.

Pilot Expo comprises three main components:

1. Exhibition (Trade Show): This two-day event provides pilots, cabin crew members, engineers, and other aviation professionals with opportunities to explore new job prospects. Meanwhile, young aspiring aviators can discover numerous training options, cadet programs, and financing possibilities.

2. Conferences: Held on both days, the conference features two parallel tracks – “Aces” for licensed pilots and “Future Pilots” for the next generation of flight crew. Each track addresses the specific concerns of its target audience. Aviation professionals from over thirty countries share their expertise, knowledge, and insights on the most current topics.

3. Airliners’ Party: Taking place on Friday night between the two exhibition days, this event offers exhibitors and visitors an excellent opportunity to relax and reconnect with colleagues in an informal setting, while enjoying music, snacks, and drinks. For many, it’s a long-awaited chance to reunite with flight school friends and cockpit colleagues.

Additionally, several world-renowned aviation influencers typically hold Meet & Greet events with their followers during Pilot Expo.

About Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 85 destinations, 17 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs 3,100 people and operates 41 aircraft.

Source: Pilot Expo
Photo Credit: Pilot Expo

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World’s Largest ACMI Provider and Aviation Conglomerate, Avia Solutions Group, Reports Revenues up 25% to €2 Billion for 9 Months 2024

Dublin, Ireland – Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, which operates a 221 aircraft fleet in total, split between 183 passenger aircraft and 38 freighters, has announced its financial results for the three quarters of this 2024.

The Group’s revenues increased by 25% to €2,06 billion compared to the same period last year, while net profit also rose to €83,3 million from €70,8 million. The group’s EBITDA for the period stands at €406 million, an 29% increase compared to the same period last year.

Over the first 9 months of 2024, the main revenue-generating regions for Avia Solutions Group were Europe (55,1%) and Asia (27,9%). The Americas, Africa, Australia and Pacific Islands represented 11,8%, 2,7%, and 1,2% of revenues respectively.

Avia Solutions Group has an ongoing strategy of investing in bolstering its capacity to meet the continued strong demand from airlines globally for additional aircraft during their peak seasons. The Group completed the acquisition of Australian based Skytrans in the first half of 2024, bringing the total number of air operator certificates held by the Group to 11 and over the third quarter also established its first AOC in Thailand, Thai SmartLynx. The Group is planning to obtain further air operator certificates (AOCs) in Malaysia, Philippines and Brazil by the end of 2025.

Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group said: “Expanding into Southeast Asia and other counter cyclical markets represents a pivotal strategic direction for the group. These regions offer significant growth opportunities and enable us to optimize fleet utilization year-round. By leveraging the robust demand in these markets, particularly during Europe’s off-peak winter season, we can effectively balance seasonal variations, ensuring our aircraft remain active and profitable while supporting our global network and customer needs.”

According to Janukenas, the cargo market has proved challenging in 2024 due to overcapacity. However, the Group anticipates increasing activity in the cargo market in 2025.

To further the Group’s business development initiatives, Avia Solutions Group also successfully issued US$300 million of five-year senior unsecured bonds with a coupon of 9,75% in the first half of 2024.

Testament to investor confidence in the Group’s strategy is the increase of group equity capital by €300 million in 2024. This growth in group equity capital relates to US-based Certares Management LLC, a private equity investment firm which invested into Avia in 2021, electing to convert its preferred shares to ordinary shares.

In November, the Group placed its first direct order for 80 Boeing 737 MAX, split between 40 firm and 40 purchases rights. The deliveries will start in 2030.

Avia Solutions Group offers its services to customers including some of the largest airlines in the world. The group operates in 68 countries around the world and consists of 250+ companies providing a wide range of aviation services like aircraft maintenance and repair (MRO), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and more. The group’s team encompasses 14,000 highly qualified aviation professionals.

Source: Avia Solutions Group
Photo Credit: Avia Solutions Group

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Italy’s Cantor Air Shares 30 Graduates Joining Leading Airlines in 2024

Bergamo, Italy – Cantor Air Flight School has announced a major milestone with 30 of its former students recently securing positions at leading airlines, including Air Dolomiti, Neos, Lufthansa City Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Challenge Air Cargo, and SmartLynx Airlines.

In February, Cantor Air announced the purchase of five new aircraft: three new P2010 TDIs and two additional P2008 JCs, a major step that would bring the flight school’s fleet to a total of 19 aircraft, along with a state-of-the-art flight simulator. On October 20, 2024, Cantor Air is proud to announce that the first P2010 has officially arrived, marking an important milestone for the flight school. This new aircraft not only increases Cantor Air’s operational capabilities and the comfort of their students, but also represents a major step forward towards environmental sustainability.

Source: Cantor Air Flight School
Photo Credit: Cantor Air Flight School

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Middle East Based Pilot Training Operator IAE Welcomes the Blackshape Gabriel Aircraft to Cyprus Base

Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) has announced the arrival of the Blackshape Gabriél aircraft at its base in Cyprus. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the collaboration established under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Abu Dhabi with Blackshape S.p.A., a globally recognized leader in the design and production of ultralight and certified aircraft for defense training and civil aviation applications.

Wissam Mehyou, Chairman and CEO of Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise, commented on the achievement: “The arrival of the Blackshape Gabriél aircraft in Cyprus represents an exciting leap in our pursuit of excellence and innovation. Blackshape’s globally respected craftsmanship and technological sophistication perfectly complement IAE’s mission to elevate aviation training and operational capabilities.”

The aircraft will undergo a series of test flights and assessments by IAE’s expert teams to explore its applications in firefighting and military training, surveillance, and specialized civil missions. These activities align with IAE’s strategic vision to foster innovation, enhance operational excellence, and introduce new training packages at its centers, further advancing aviation training and services.

Source: Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise
Photo Credit: Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise

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Royal Canadian Air Force to Use 19 PC-21 Next Generation Trainers in the Future

Pilatus has signed a contract to deliver 19 PC-21 training aircraft. The PC-21 will not only provide Canada with the most technically advanced training system but also a very cost-effective, environmentally friendly training platform for military pilots.

Pilatus is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a major contract with KF Aerospace as part of its collaboration with SkyAlyne for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) “Future Aircrew Training” (FAcT) program. The contract involves the delivery of nineteen state-of-the-art PC-21 training aircraft.

The nineteen PC-21s will be stationed at the air force base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, from 2026. They will primarily be used to provide advanced training for aspiring military pilots. The 25-year FAcT program is designed to fundamentally modernize and expand the RCAF training capabilities.

“SkyAlyne is excited to be working with Pilatus on this important project. The PC-21 offers numerous benefits over conventional training aircraft and is equipped with cutting-edge avionics to ensure a seamless transition to frontline jets,” explains SkyAlyne senior executive Kevin Lemke. “In addition, the PC-21’s innovative design delivers a significant reduction inoperating costs and greater efficiency in training operations. These qualities make the PC-21 the ideal choice for Canada.”

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, commented as follows on this important new contract: “This contract is further proof of the capabilities of our PC-21 training system. Canada ranks amongst the world’s most renowned and professional air forces, and we‘re very proud to be part of this groundbreaking project. We‘re very much looking forward to working with our partners and we can assure everyone of our commitment to providing Canada with the best training system and the best possible customer support. We‘d like to thank everyone for their confidence in Pilatus and the PC-21, our Next Generation Trainer made in Switzerland!”

Ioannis Papachristofilou, Vice President Government Aviation at Pilatus, added: “This milestone is a significant achievement for all involved, and we’re very proud that the PC-21 will now serve as the backbone of Canada’s military pilot training program for decades to come.”

Proven, integrated training system

The PC-21 by Pilatus offers an advanced training platform specifically designed to meet the requirements of modern pilot training. The PC-21 is known for its efficiency and versatility, and is recognized worldwide as a leading training aircraft. Besides the aircraft itself, the integrated PC-21training system also includes mission planning and debriefing systems as well as training materials – all essential elements to support ground-based training.

The total fleet of PC-21s worldwide currently stands at just under 250. Customers include the world’s leading air forces in Europe, the Middle and Far East, and Australia. The Swiss Air Force adopted the PC-21 in 2008, and has used it to successfully train future military pilots ever since then.

Source: Pilatus
Photo Credit: Pilatus

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