Market Intelligence: Europe

Icelandair and CAE announced an agreement for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Airbus A320-family full-flight simulator (FFS) to support the entry-into-service of the airline’s new Airbus A321 fleet in 2025. The new CAE FFS sold to Icelandair will be installed at the CAE Reykjavík – Icelandair Flight Training Centre, a joint venture between the two companies, and will be ready for training by the end of 2025.

“We are thrilled to announce our new contract with CAE and to continue fostering our fruitful partnership,” said Sylvia Kristin Olafsdottir, CCO of Icelandair. “The new simulator will allow us to continue providing world-class training in Iceland, giving us the flexibility and agility needed to expand our route network, introduce new destinations, and grow our pilot group accordingly. As an island nation, Iceland heavily relies on air transport and as the leading airline, we recognize the importance of having such facilities within the country, ensuring top-notch training opportunities for pilots.”

“The acquisition of this Airbus A320-family full-flight simulator is a significant milestone in our partnership with Icelandair, and we look forward to supporting their pilot training in anticipation of the arrival of the A321 into their fleet,” said Michel Azar-Hmouda, CAE’s Division President, Commercial Aviation. “The advanced technology in this new FFS will give pilots the skill and confidence to safely fly the A321 and provide the customer experience for which Icelandair is also renowned.”

This latest generation FFS is designed to replicate the flight characteristics and systems of the Airbus A320. Equipped with high-fidelity visuals, an immersive cockpit environment, and realistic flight dynamics, the simulator will serve as a critical training tool for pilots, ensuring they are thoroughly prepared to operate the new aircraft safely and efficiently.

In addition to being used for initial training and type rating, the FFS will also be used for the twice-annual recurrent training pilots must complete, ensuring they remain proficient and current in their skills and knowledge.

About Icelandair

With an extensive route network, Icelandair uses the unique geographical location of Iceland as a hub midway between Europe and North America offering direct flights to more than 50 destinations. Additional to the international route network, Icelandair operates a domestic network in Iceland, an airfreight and logistics business as well as aircraft leasing and consulting services. 

Since its foundation in 1937, Icelandair has steadily expanded its route network and, in 2023, transported 4.3 million passengers to 55 destinations in Europe and North America, employed around 3,600 full-time employees and generated total revenue of USD 1.5 billion.

About CAE Civil Aviation Training

CAE – Civil Aviation elevates and advances human performance by providing holistic and immersive training solutions for professionals in business and commercial aviation. Whether for pilots, maintenance technicians, cabin crew or air traffic controllers, we help keep aircraft in the skies with exceptionally trained professionals ready to take on any challenge safely. We operate 70+ facilities on five continents, training over 135,000 business and commercial professionals annually.

About CAE 

At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE