Market Intelligence: South East Asia

Malaysian Flight Training Organisation Welcomes May 2025 Batch of 9 Cadets

Malaysia – BATS Aviation has welcomed nine new aspiring pilots, including private students and cadets from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), who commenced their training on 14 May 2025. This group marks the third batch of MAG cadet pilots enrolled at BATS as part of the continuing partnership to develop Malaysia’s next generation of commercial pilots.

BATS Aviation the Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia based flight school is a cadet pilot training program partner of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) Cadet Pilots program and operates a fleet of Piper Warrior’s (PA-28s), Piper Seneca’s (PA-34) and Diamond Aircraft DA42.

Source: BATS Aviation
Photo Credit: BATS Aviation

Related Posts

Singapore Flying College Celebrates 18 Ground School Graduates in May 2025 – Next Flight Training in Australia

Singapore & Australia – Singapore Airline’s flight training organisation Singapore Flying College (SFC) which operates flight training activities in Singapore and Australia has announced the successful graduation of Class C269 (18 pilots) from its Ground School programme in April 2025. The milestone marks the completion of a six-month theoretical training phase, preparing cadets for the next stage of their pilot training in Australia. The six-month course covered foundational aviation theory in preparation for flight training abroad.

About Singapore Flying College
Established in 1988, Singapore Flying College is a premier ab-initio pilot training institution under the Singapore Airlines Group. The College delivers integrated cadet pilot training across ground school and flying phases in Singapore and Australia, producing airline-ready flight crew for some of the world’s most demanding carriers.

Source: Singapore Flying College
Photo Credit: Singapore Flying College

Related Posts

Vietjet Places 2025 Order for 20 More A330neo Widebodies for Future Expansion

Vietnam – Vietjet, Vietnam’s largest private airline, has placed a new order with Airbus for 20 widebody A330-900 aircraft to support strategic expansion over the next decade.

The agreement was signed in Hanoi by Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Wouter van Wersch, President Airbus International. The documents were exchanged in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, during an official visit to the country by the French Head of State.

This long-term order will support Vietjet’s ongoing international network expansion, enabling the airline to increase flights on high capacity routes across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to introduce new future long haul services to Europe.

Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said: “Modern Airbus aircraft, with the latest levels of efficiency and lower fuel consumption, have accompanied Vietjet’s growth and will continue to support our global flight network expansion. Vietjet remains dedicated to delivering greater connectivity and sustainable air travel for millions of passengers and around the world.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus said: “Vietjet has established itself as one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, bringing low fares with warm Vietnamese hospitality. We are proud that the carrier has selected the A330neo as its widebody aircraft of choice to build on its success, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as Vietjet expands its reach.”

The new contract with Vietjet doubles its firm orders for the A330neo to 40 aircraft. In addition, the carrier has 96 A320neo Family single aisle aircraft on order. Vietjet currently operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising 115 single aisle A320 Family aircraft and seven A330-300s.

Vietjet currently operates international services to Australia, India and Kazakhstan with its A330-300s, offering passengers enhanced comfort and greater choice, including in Business Class. The A330 fleet will continue to play a key role as Vietjet expands to more distant destinations, meeting the evolving travel needs of passengers at home and around the world.

Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 is capable of flying 7,200 nm / 13,300 km non-stop. The A330neo features the award-winning Airspace cabin, which offers passengers a unique experience, high level of comfort, ambience, and design. This includes more individual space, enlarged overhead bins, a new lighting system and access to the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems.

At the end of April 2025, the A330 Family had won over 1,800 firm orders from more than 130 customers worldwide. As with all in-production aircraft, the A330neo is able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with a target to increase to up to 100% SAF capability by 2030.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

Related Posts

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Tecnam Aircraft

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Giovanni Pascale Langer – Managing Director at Tecnam Aircraft – an Italy headquartered aircraft manufacturer known for producing light, efficient, and innovative next-generation piston aircraft which have gained popularity with flight training organizations around the world.

The conversation covers:

  • Tecnam’s Legacy and Leadership: Tecnam’s roots trace back over 77 years, beginning with Partenavia, founded by Giovanni Pascale Langer’s grandfather and great-uncle. Built on a strong family legacy in aviation, Tecnam has grown into one of the top three general aviation manufacturers worldwide. Under Giovanni’s leadership as Managing Director the company embraces a philosophy of hands-on, ground-up management. Giovanni himself worked across all Tecnam’s departments. This deep, practical understanding of the business shows Tecnam’s leadership style: engaged, agile, and grounded in the realities of aircraft manufacturing and customer needs.
  • Recent Successes and U.S. Expansion: Tecnam has seen growing demand globally, especially in the U.S., highlighted by a major order from US Aviation Academy: 38 aircraft initially with an option for 52 more. Their agility in adapting production schedules to client needs has made Tecnam a trusted partner for critical projects like training future U.S. Air Force pilots.
  • Addressing the Global Pilot Shortage: Giovanni views the pilot shortage as both a challenge and an opportunity. Tecnam aircraft like the P-Mentor, P2008, and P2010 are tailored for efficient, modern training that helps flight schools produce better pilots, faster. Smart training with smart aircraft is Tecnam’s solution to a growing global issue.
  • Innovation and Market Trends: Tecnam is deeply aligned with industry trends such as cost efficiency, fleet unification, safety, and sustainability. Rather than relying on legacy designs, Tecnam develops certified aircraft tailored to modern requirements. Their diverse aircraft lineup supports a one-stop-shop model for training organizations.
  • Vision for the Future: Tecnam focuses on immediate sustainability gains, such as reducing CO₂ emissions through efficient training platforms. Their innovation pipeline remains strong, driven by real-world needs and regulatory evolution. Giovanni emphasized that meaningful progress in aviation sustainability will come step by step, not through abrupt shifts, and Tecnam is committed to leading that gradual, practical transformation.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

To stay up to date and get notified about all of the latest episodes from AFM you can follow us through the below platforms:

Related Posts

CAE and AirAsia Strengthen Pilot Training Partnership Through Offsite Strategy Session

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – CAE, a global leader in aviation training and simulation, recently held an offsite business and partnership review workshop with the senior management team of AirAsia Group, further strengthening the collaboration between the two organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • The offsite event took place just outside of Kuala Lumpur, bringing together CAE’s APAC Commercial Aviation management team and senior leaders from AirAsia Group.

  • The session focused on reviewing ongoing business operations and strategic partnerships between CAE and AirAsia.

  • Key discussions included addressing current training challenges, identifying new areas for cooperation, and aligning on shared objectives to enhance CAE’s support to AirAsia.

CAE operates: CAE Kuala Lumpur, one of the largest training center’s in the region, which provides training to over 30 airlines from across the region. The center is equipped with six full flight simulators (FFS) and four flight training devices (FTD).

In 2017 CAE announced that it had concluded the acquisition of AirAsia’s share of the Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence (AACE) – which operated three AACE training centres located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Source: CAE

Related Posts

Flight School Headset Provider Enters Philippine Training Market Through 2025 Partnership

Philippines – Kore Aviation has formally entered the Philippine flight training market through a new distribution partnership with Harris Aviation Solutions Philippines Inc., making its KA-1 aviation headset the standard issue in pilot starter kits across the country’s flight schools.

  • Kore Aviation’s KA-1 headset will now be included in cadet starter kits provided by Harris Aviation to pilot trainees nationwide.

  • Harris Aviation Solutions Philippines Inc., a known supplier to the general aviation and training sector, will facilitate distribution.

  • The KA-1 headset provides 24 dB passive noise reduction, dual volume controls, a noise-canceling electret microphone, gel ear seals, and an AUX input compatible with cockpit apps such as ForeFlight.

  • The headset is tailored for student pilot needs, offering durability, comfort, and performance for extended training use.

Statement’s

  • “We’re thrilled to partner with Kore Aviation to bring their headsets to flight schools across the Philippines. The KA-1 is a perfect fit for student pilots: reliable, comfortable, and built to perform under rigorous training conditions,” said Harris Camposagrado, CEO of Harris Aviation Solutions Philippines Inc.
  • “This marks a key milestone for Kore Aviation as we expand our reach into Asia,” added Min Kim, CEO of Kore Aviation. “We’re proud to support the growth of aviation in the Philippines and honored that our KA-1 headset will be part of the learning experience for so many future pilots.”

Source: Kore Aviation

Related Posts