Market Intelligence: Europe

Irish Airline to Deploy 3 New FFS to Simtech Aviation Between 2026 and 207

Ireland – Simtech Aviation marked a major milestone as it hosted senior officials from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) alongside key airline leadership from Aer Lingus to announce the airline’s largest investment in pilot training infrastructure in over 20 years, with three new full‑flight simulators (FFSs) slated to be delivered to the centre between now and 2027.

  • Once operational, this expansion will position Simtech Aviation as Ireland’s largest full‑motion simulator training centre
  • The A320 CEO/NEO and A330 CEO/NEO Full-Flight Simulators are scheduled to enter service in early 2026, with the A321XLR simulator to follow in early 2027.

  • The announcement was celebrated with attendance by Aer Lingus leadership including Adrian Dunne (COO) and Captain Brian O’Sullivan (MTS), alongside Simtech’s Captain Sé Pardy, affirming collaborative commitment to training excellence.

Founded in 2001, Simtech Aviation is approved by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and EASA as a leading European Approved Training Organisation (ATO). The company has trained more than 5,500 student pilots and works with airlines and flight schools across Ireland, the UK and Europe, delivering training across Airbus, Boeing, and ATR aircraft.

In addition to the newly announced simulators, Simtech currently operates a broad range of training assets at its Dublin facility, including:

  • ATR 500 and ATR 600 full-flight simulators supporting EASA type rating and recurrent pilot training
  • A fixed-base Boeing 737-800NG simulator used for APS MCC training for both EASA and UK CAA cadets along with stand-alone EASA MCC course
  • An Airbus A320 full-flight simulator, with increased availability anticipated from mid-2026, enabling expanded pilot assessment activity and future training programmes

Source: Simtech Aviation
Photo Credit: Simtech Aviation

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Center Air Pilot Academy Receives New Simnest B737 FNPT II MCC Simulator

Denmark – At the end of November 2025 Center Air Pilot Academy (CAPA) received its newest Simnest B737 FNPT II MCC simulator. The Danish pilot academy, one of Simnest Aviation’s earliest and largest customers, acquired the new device to expand its existing training capacity, adding it alongside two Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulators already in operation.

The partnership between CAPA and Simnest Aviation dates back nearly a decade and has continued to strengthen over the years. During this time, CAPA has experienced significant growth in both scale and reputation. Today, the academy trains pilots for several major airline partners, including Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian, and is widely recognized for its high-quality professional training programs.

“At Center Air Pilot Academy, we know that high-quality training tools are essential for developing high-quality pilots. From reliable aircraft to advanced simulators, the equipment we use directly shapes the skills and mindset of the cadets who trust us with their training. This is why, when expanding our simulator fleet, we once again turned to our long-standing partner, Simnest Aviation,” said Jens Frost, CEO of Center Air Pilot Academy. 

CAPA’s new Simnest B737 FNPT II MCC simulator has now received full approval from the Danish Civil Aviation Authorities and is ready to support both the training of the region’s next generation of airline pilots and the sales activities of Simnest Aviation, serving as the company’s first Boeing-based demo simulator. 

Source: Simnest Aviation
Photo Credit: Simnest Aviation

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Andorra Aviation Academy Visits Elixir Aircraft Factory in January 2026

France – Andorra Aviation Academy spent a day at Elixir Aircraft’s facility engaging in a factory tour and demo flights of the company’s innovative Part 23 aircraft, gaining frontline insights into modern aircraft design, safety features, and cockpit ergonomics that support its flight training curriculum.

  • The visit included an in‑depth factory tour at Elixir Aircraft, where Andorra Aviation Academy delegates observed key aspects of the aircraft’s engineering philosophy, including its OneShot carbon‑composite structure and integrated whole‑airframe parachute system.

  • Elixir’s aircraft features a Garmin G3X glass cockpit, reflecting contemporary avionics standards relevant to both modern general aviation and advanced flight training environments.

  • Demo flights conducted during the visit provided valuable impressions of handling characteristics, cockpit visibility, and workload, elements critical to evaluating aircraft suitability for training applications.

  • Andorra Aviation Academy extended thanks to hosts Alisa Galais and Nicolas de Lassus for their hospitality and insights, and to demo pilot Pierre‑Antoine Terrazzoni for flight demonstrations and explanations that enriched the experience.

Source: Andorra Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Andorra Aviation Academy

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Danish FTO Welcomes 15 Cadets to Airline-Integrated Training Program in January 2026

Denmark – Center Air Pilot Academy (CAPA), the Roskilde‑based flight training organisation, has welcomed 15 new pilot students into its January 2026 intake.

  • Students were warmly welcomed on their first day by Ole Riis Simonsen from SAS – Scandinavian Airlines, who shared industry insights and inspiration as they embarked on their pilot training pathways.

  • Later in the day, representatives from Air Greenland, including Ove Heilmann Grødem and Henrik Steinbacher, introduced the new class to a range of potential airline career opportunities, highlighting prospects post‑graduation.

  • The academy emphasised the significance of industry engagement on day one, bringing real airline perspective into the early stages of cadet training and strengthening motivation and professional outlook.

About Center Air Pilot Academy
Established in 1991 and headquartered in Roskilde, Denmark, Center Air Pilot Academy is an EASA-certified flight training provider specializing in Integrated ATPL and Modular training programs. The academy is recognized for its airline-aligned curriculum and strong career placement track record across European carriers.

Source: Center Air Pilot Academy
Photo Credit: Center Air Pilot Academy

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