Market Intelligence: South East Asia

Simaero, a leading global provider of airline pilot training with over 20 years of experience and locations in France, South Africa, China, and India, announced their upcoming expansion plan in Malaysia at the opening ceremony of Selangor Air Show 2023 (SAS 2023) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MBI Selangor.

A strategic partnership with MBI Selangor as part of the development of a one-stop center for aerospace in the ASEAN region

On September 7th, the Selangor Air Show 2023, a significant Business Aviation Show in Southeast Asia, commenced with an exchange of the MoU that was signed between Simaero and MBI Selangor. Simaero’s Chairman, Mr. Eric Renault, and MBI Selangor’s CEO, Pn. Hajah Norita binti Mohd. Sidek, represented their respective organizations. This MoU enhances the bilateral cooperation between the two entities to strengthen the aviation training sector in Malaysia.

This cooperation commitment is part of the Selangor Aero Park (SAP) development project in Sepang as outlined in the RS-1, which is the roadmap developed by Selangor State in its aspiration to be a Smart, Liveable and Prosperous State. The SAP project is a major initiative of Selangor’s state government that aims to create, over the next ten years, a one-stop center for aerospace in the ASEAN region. The future center will provide infrastructure, facilities, and services for aerospace and aviation-related businesses.

Simaero, as a Training Organization (ATO) approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), will provide its expertise in flight simulator operations, pilot and cabin crew training solutions, and simulator engineering services through a direct presence in the country and by developing the aviation training-related skills of local talents.

“The Malaysian airlines are at a turning point in their development. They have the opportunity to grow steadily over the next few years, and they need to access high-standard resources that meet their local CAA requirements to do it successfully. By participating in this exciting SAP project, Simaero could help them meet their needs and access standardized, high-quality aviation training,” affirms Mr. Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero.

Invest Selangor Berhad, through the Selangor Darul Ehsan Aerospace Industry Coordination Office (SDAICO), plays a crucial role in facilitating Simaero’s strategic expansion in the dynamic aviation market of Asia, fostering greater connectivity and growth opportunities for both parties in the region.

An aviation training center aimed at centralizing high-quality training and promoting local expertise

The future facility will be designed to regroup all aviation training equipment in a welcoming atmosphere, including full-flight simulator bays, and complete cabin crew & ground crew training facilities. Simaero will collaborate with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to ensure the training center receives all necessary authority approvals to provide first-grade training programs.

As Simaero aims to strengthen aviation training standards further locally and address the increasing demand for aviation training facilities in the country and regionally, the facility will be equipped with advanced market-specific full flight simulators in line with the current aircraft types operated by Malaysian and the regional airline operators such as B737 Max, A320 Neo, etc.

The estimated total FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is valued at USD 75 million (approx. RM 348 million) in the span of 8-10 years’ timeline and is expected to create dozens of job opportunities for Malaysians in the aviation training field of expertise.

About Simaero

Simaero is a leading player worldwide in Full Flight Simulators operations and Pilot Training. Headquartered in Paris, France, Simaero gives its 250 customers access to over 30 Full Flight Simulators in its five locations in Paris CDG and Dinard, France; Johannesburg, South Africa; Delhi, India and Zhengzhou, China. Simaero is an Approved Training Organization for pilots, certified by EASA and more than 40 other civil aviation authorities, including South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Brazil, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and UAE. Its academy offers a complete set of Type Rating training solutions covering a comprehensive range of aircraft types, including Airbus A320, A330, A340, and A350; Boeing 737, B757, B767, B777, B787; ATR 42/72-500/600, ERJ 145, Beech 1900, Dash 8, MD80/82, and Fokker 100. Simaero also provides Simulator Engineering Services to numerous customers across the world. The service includes simulator relocation, repair, upgrade, and preparation for certification and operation. In Joint Venture with HNCA, Simaero provides simulator engineering and maintenance services in China.

About MBI Selangor and Invest Selangor Berhad

Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) is a body that was established to administer assets and investments of the State Government, and to represent the State in economic and business activities that are beyond the state government’s jurisdictions. MBI Selangor also plays a role towards promoting and supporting the state government’s development efforts as well as to carry out social responsibility obligations for the public. Invest Selangor Berhad is the investment promotion agency for the State of Selangor, Malaysia, and facilitates the inflow of domestic and foreign direct investment into the State of Selangor. To better serve Selangor’s Aerospace industry players located in the State of Selangor, Malaysia, they have the Selangor Darul Ehsan Aerospace Industry Coordination Office (S-DAICO). S-DAICO acts as the official secretariat for the state government of Selangor for all matters pertaining to the development of Aerospace in Selangor. Their roles include strategizing and execution of projects with the Selangor
State Government, together with the State Government Linked Companies (GLCs), and the Federal Government and its agencies for the development of the aerospace industry within the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

Source: SIMAERO
Photo Credit: SIMAERO