Market Intelligence: Middle East

Airbus Flight Academy and The Aviator Institute from Tunisia Join Forces to Introduce Ab Initio Training in Africa and Middle East

Tunisia – Airbus Flight Academy (AFA) and The Aviator Institute (TAI), formerly Safe Flight Academy, have signed a partnership agreement during the 2025 Dubai Airshow to introduce the Airbus ab initio pilot-training programme in Tunisia. The collaboration marks the first Airbus Flight Academy network partnership in Africa and the Middle East, expanding Airbus’ global training footprint and supporting long-term pilot-supply requirements across the region.

  • Under the agreement, Airbus will align TAI’s operational standards, instructor training, and facilities with its latest ab initio training framework.

  • The first cadets are expected to begin training in March 2026, with a planned ramp-up enabling TAI to train more than 80 cadets per year.

  • TAI operates from Tunis and Monastir, leveraging favourable year-round weather and more than 15 years of flight-training experience.

  • The academy’s fleet of Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft, combined with advanced simulators and modern facilities, provides an infrastructure suited to Airbus’ airline-ready ab initio training model.

Statements

  • “Becoming Airbus Flight Academy network’s partner is a recognition of the quality and maturity of our training model… This collaboration accelerates our ambition to position Tunisia as a regional aviation hub and to offer young talents a direct pathway to the cockpit.” Anis Faidi, CEO, The Aviator Institute.

  • “Through this collaboration… we continue to expand our ability to serve both airline customers training their cadets and individual aspiring pilots pursuing a self-sponsored path to the cockpit.” Laurent Negre, Vice President, Customer Services, Airbus Africa and Middle East.

  • “The Tunisian flight school brings its 15 years of experience to build the right competencies in order to graduate airline-ready pilots. It contributes to continuously enhance safety through a greater quality of training, which are the core objectives of our ab initio training. Operating from Tunis and Monastir, TAI will deliver the Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme (ATPi) using its modern fleet and high-end facilities. Thank you very much Anis Faidi for your trust, we know we can count on you and the The Aviator Institute team for the future!” stated Thomas Aoudia.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Safe Flight Academy

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FlyIAA Global Expands into Europe Through Share-Exchange Agreement with CAFA

United Arab Emirates & Cyprus – Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) and MA Group have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, establishing a board-level partnership through a mutual share-exchange between Intercontinental Aviation Academy (FlyIAA Global) and CAFA – Cyprus Airways Flying Academy. The agreement positions CAFA as a new European base within the FlyIAA Global training network and marks a significant expansion of IAE’s international footprint.

  • The collaboration grants FlyIAA Global an operational presence in Europe while integrating CAFA into a wider global training structure spanning the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

  • A Joint Integration Board will oversee the partnership, guiding brand alignment, fleet-modernisation plans, new training-programme development, and the establishment of additional satellite training bases.

  • The alliance aims to strengthen CAFA’s position within the European training market and support FlyIAA Global’s long-term vision for scalable, multi-continent aviation-training operations.

Statements

  • “This is more than a partnership; it is a milestone that reshapes our global footprint. Cyprus will become one of the most important hubs in our network, powered by a new fleet, new programs, and a strategic vision aligned with FlyIAA Global’s future.” Wissam Mehyou, CEO, Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise.

  • “By joining forces with IAE and FlyIAA Global, CAFA takes a decisive step toward becoming a leading European aviation academy. This partnership brings new strength, clear direction, and a global horizon.” Mikhael Alenkin, Owner, MA Group.

Source: Intercontinental Aviation Academy

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Turkiye’s Atlantic Flight Academy and Simnest Aviation Sign MoU for A320 FNPT II MCC Simulator

Turkiye  – Atlantic Flight Academy (AFA) and Simnest Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the first step in a long-term strategic cooperation between the two companies.

Under the agreement, AFA will acquire a new flight simulator, a Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC, to expand its capacity to train future airline pilots. The device will be used for MCC training and for specific phases of the academy’s contribution to airlines’ MPL program, preparing cadets for airline workflows and multi-crew cockpit environments from the outset of their professional journey.

In addition to its training role, the simulator will also act as a strategic demonstrational platform in Istanbul, Türkiye, supporting Simnest Aviation’s expansion in Türkiye and the Middle East by providing hands-on access to its high-fidelity, type-representative Simnest A320 training device.

The final purchase agreement is expected to be signed within the coming weeks, the simulator installation is scheduled for the summer of 2026, and the two organizations are already in ongoing discussions regarding further phases of their cooperation.

About Atlantic Flight Academy (AFA)
Founded in 2011 to meet the growing demand for airline-ready pilots in Türkiye, AFA offers training programs compliant with SHT-FCL and EASA Part-FCL standards. Operating modern Diamond “New Generation” glass-cockpit aircraft, the academy conducts training across multiple bases, including Çorlu-Tekirdağ, Edremit-Balıkesir, Yenişehir-Bursa, and Pamukova-Sakarya, where it maintains runway facilities and an SHY-145-approved maintenance organisation. AFA’s training philosophy focuses on developing pilots equipped with strong technical proficiency, operational discipline, and airline-standard procedures — preparing them to enter commercial airline operations with confidence.

About Simnest Aviation
Simnest Aviation is a major player in the fixed-base FSTD manufacturing market. The company has 23 type-representative simulators operating across eight European countries, and its proprietary FMGS software is also used in North America and Asia. Its product lineup — including the Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC, its simplified version, the Simnest A320 AATD, and the Simnest B737 FNPT II MCC — is designed to closely replicate the real aircraft, down to the finest details. This high level of realism has helped ATOs around the world expand their training portfolios and secure pilot training contracts with major airlines such as Brussels Airlines, Jettime, Norwegian, Scandinavian Airlines, and Wizz Air.

Source: Simnest Aviation
Photo Credit: Simnest Aviation

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flydubai Signs 2025 agreement for 150 A321neo Aircraft

United Arab Emirates – flydubai has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 150 A321neo aircraft, marking a significant fleet‑diversification move and making the carrier an Airbus customer for the first time.

  • The MoU was signed at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, with Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum of flydubai and Christian Scherer of Airbus present at the ceremony.

  • The A321neo family offers advanced fuel‑efficiency technology, including new‑generation engines and “Sharklets”, delivering over 20 % fuel and CO₂ savings compared to previous generation single‑aisle aircraft.

Statements

  • “We are pleased to announce a landmark agreement for 150 A321neo aircraft, representing another important milestone in flydubai’s journey. This new agreement is not only about adding aircraft. It supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This strategic addition diversifies our narrow-body fleet and strengthens our long-term expansion plans. This will enable flydubai to play a key role in the success of Dubai World Central’s expansion plans, an airport we aim to become the largest airport in the world. The A321neos will support the next phase of our network development and enable us to meet rising demand across our markets. We look forward to establishing a strong and enduring partnership between flydubai and Airbus.” – His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of flydubai.

  • “We welcome flydubai, one of the Middle East’s most ambitious and fast-growing carriers, as a new Airbus customer. The decision to invest in and introduce the A321neo into its fleet is another endorsement of the added value Airbus brings in terms of range, efficiency and passenger comfort. We look forward to supporting flydubai as it enables new growth and possibilities with our aircraft.” – Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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