The demand for an additional 2.3 million trained workers in the airline services sector is forecasted over the next 20 years, according to the latest Airbus Global Services Forecast, and in response Airbus is creating additional training capacity with the construction of a new campus. The training centre will contribute to maintaining quality and occupational safety standards within aviation, as well as supporting airlines’ crew training needs for the introduction of new Airbus aircraft into their fleets and their future growth.
This aviation Training and Flight Operations Campus in Toulouse-Blagnac will welcome its first trainee pilots, mechanics and structure specialists during 2026. In an architecturally innovative building, the campus can enrol around 10,000 trainees every year and will offer more space for up to 12 Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and 12 Airbus Procedure Trainers. Structure labs and numerous training rooms, also for Virtual Reality (VR) and computer-based training, will complete the centre’s facilities. In addition, new office space will be created for around 600 Airbus employees.
The new facility will be the largest of 15 Airbus pilot training centres globally and the only one of its kind in Europe. Airbus operates 43 Full Flight Simulators (FFS) worldwide. Currently, six FFS of all Airbus Family aircraft are available to customers for training in Toulouse. An existing A330 FFS will be replaced by a new A330neo FFS, while one additional A350 FFS will be added when the new facility opens, increasing the number of FFS then to seven.
The brand new Training and Flight Operations Campus will co-locate all the Airbus Training Services activities in France into one facility, together with the teams from Flight Operations and NAVBLUE, Airbus’ flight operations solutions and services subsidiary. Customers and employees will benefit from combined expert synergies, enriching exchanges at the centre which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Integrated in our worldwide Airbus Training Services offering at 22 sites on five continents, this setup will allow us to embed our attractive aviation personnel training offer into a state-of-the-art facility, creating for our customers in Europe an unforgettable journey through a modern, unique and immersive learning experience“, highlights Maia Kuilenberg, Head of Airbus Training Services.
Airbus has commissioned the architectural firms Kardham and Rodrigo Ferrer and the French construction firm GIE-Burothèque with the design and construction of the new campus. During the construction phase, which will begin in October 2024, airline customers will be able to continue their training at the current training centre.
Source: Airbus