Market Intelligence: South East Asia

Global Flight Training Group Airways Aviation Welcomes October 2025 Asian Flag Carrier Cadets to Australia for Flight Training

Australia – Airways Aviation, one of the largest aviation and pilot training group’s in the world operating pilot training academies across Europe, the Middle East, Asia/Australia, India and Africa, has welcomed a new group of cadets from Philippine Airlines Aviation School to its Archerfield Airport campus in Queensland, marking the commencement of their practical flight training phase. The cadets previously completed their ground theory training in the Philippines.

Since its inception in the 1960s, the PAL Aviation School has provided top-tier education and training for aspiring pilots.

The program is an 18-month self-funded ab-initio pilot training course.

    • Training structure:

      • Ab-initio training at Airways Aviation’s Australia campus.

      • Advanced training at PAL Aviation Training Center (PATC), Manila, including A320 narrowbody type rating.

      • Widebody procedural training at partner simulator hubs in Clark, Haneda, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand.

    • Training devices and aircraft:

      • Alsim AL250 fixed-base simulator.

      • Cessna C172R and C172S aircraft.

    • License: CASA Commercial Pilot License with Instrument Rating (Australia), convertible to Philippine license.

    • Employment: Program is self-sponsored; no guaranteed employment, though graduates may be interviewed depending on airline needs and job availability.

    • Eligibility: Open to external candidates and active PAL/PAL Express employees.

Source: Janet D. (Airways Aviation)

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Philippines’ Airworks Aviation Academy Welcomes VR Aviation Tool Provider to Study Training Enhancement Solutions

Philippines – NextGen Pilot, a provider of advanced digital aviation training solutions, visited Cebu based Airworks Aviation Academy, one of the Philippines’ largest flight training academy’s, to showcase its latest offerings in VR and AI-powered learning tools.

  • The visit featured a product demonstration and presentation led by a NextGen Pilot representative, covering micro-courses, Cessna C172/C152 virtual reality modules, and AI-driven role-play tools
  • Discussions were held with key Airworks personnel including the founder Vincent Charles Ong, Head of Training and Ernesto Panadero, focusing on the future of immersive training in flight education

Source: NextGen Pilot

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Philippine Carriers Placed Major Airbus Orders, But More Jets May Be Needed as Air Traffic Set to Outpace Regional and Global Averages

Philippines – Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have placed orders exceeding 110 aircraft with Airbus, in a move to address long-term growth forecasts for the Philippine aviation sector. Despite these orders, Airbus warns that further acquisitions may be necessary to meet the country’s rising travel demand.

  • The current Philippine order book includes A320, A321, A330, and A350 aircraft, covering domestic, regional, and long-haul routes
  • Airbus estimates Philippine air traffic will grow by 7% annually over the next 20 years, outpacing regional and global averages
  • In 2023, Cebu Pacific signed a record-breaking $24 billion agreement with Airbus for up to 152 aircraft, the largest single purchase in Philippine aviation history
  • PAL is awaiting delivery of nine A350-1000s and 13 A321neos, with plans to add more widebody aircraft over the next decade to expand U.S. connectivity
  • As of 2024, the Philippines has approximately 135 Airbus aircraft in service, with Cebu Pacific operating an all-Airbus fleet and PAL relying heavily on Airbus widebodies
  • Passenger traffic reached 59.91 million in 2024, with Cebu Pacific accounting for 38% of the market
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects passenger volume in the Philippines to hit 66 million by 2028
  • The Philippine government is addressing capacity constraints:
    • Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is undergoing a ₱170.6 billion modernization to increase capacity from 35M to 62M passengers annually
    • New Manila International Airport targets a 2028 opening, with an initial 35M passenger capacity

Source: Airbus, PAL & Cebu Pacific

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ELITE Simulation Solutions Delivers DA-42 FAA FTD Level 5 / EASA FNPT II to Nakhon Phanom University, Thailand

Switzerland & Thailand – flight simulator manufacturer ELITE Simulation Solutions is pleased to announce the successful installation of an ELITE Diamond DA-42 FAA FTD level 5 / EASA FNPT II flight training device at Nakhon Phanom University (NPU) in Thailand. This marks the third DA-42 simulator delivered by ELITE to Thailand in 2025, reinforcing ELITE’s position as a leading provider of advanced flight training systems in Southeast Asia.

Strengthening Pilot Training in Thailand

Nakhon Phanom University is now home to one of the most advanced DA-42-class simulators in the region. The device will provide students and flight training personnel with high-fidelity, certified simulation capabilities, helping bridge theoretical instruction and real-world flight experience in a controlled, safe environment.

This latest installation expands ELITE’s footprint in Thailand, following two prior DA-42 deployments earlier in 2025. The addition at NPU further supports Thailand’s aviation training infrastructure and elevates the standard of pilot education in the region.

Technical Highlights & Capabilities

The ELITE Diamond DA-40/DA-42 family, which includes the S823 convertible platform combines certified realism, flexibility, and compact design.

Key features of the installed DA-42 FTD5 / FNPT II include:

  • EASA FNPT II & FAA AATD / Level 5 qualification: The simulator is certified to meet rigorous European and U.S. standards for flight training devices.
  • Garmin G1000 / G1000 NXi replica avionics: A fully realistic avionics system that mirrors real aircraft configurations.
  • Compact footprint: The device is engineered to fit through standard doors, facilitating transport and installation in diverse training environments.
  • Visual system options: Includes a curved visual projection system (e.g. 4 m / 200° field of view) or alternative display configurations depending on room layout.
  • Loggable hours & credit potential: Under EASA CS-FSTD (A), the device supports logging of basic, instrument, and multi-engine training hours toward PPL, CPL, IR, and ATPL credit.

Importantly, while installed as a Diamond DA-42, the system retains the flexibility for a future Diamond DA-40 conversion if desired – a capability inherent in ELITE’s convertible design approach.

Complete Solutions & Support

ELITE provided full onsite installation, calibration, and operator training at NPU. The company also offers ongoing support, updates, and re-certification assistance to ensure maximum uptime and regulatory compliance.

This deployment demonstrates ELITE’s commitment to its clients in Thailand and to the broader Asia-Pacific region. As aviation training demand continues to grow, ELITE remains dedicated to delivering certified, high-performance simulation solutions.

“We are honored to partner with Nakhon Phanom University to advance pilot training capacity in Thailand. This third DA-42 installation in Thailand reflects both our technical capability and our commitment to regional development.” – Christopher Reville, CCO, ELITE Simulation Solutions

About ELITE Simulation Solutions
Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ELITE Simulation Solutions provides advanced IFR software, controls, and flight training devices for flight schools, universities, and simulation centers worldwide. The company maintains offices in Orlando, Delhi, Prague, Melbourne, and Beijing. ELITE’s mission is to offer certified, modular, and high-fidelity simulation platforms that enhance safety, reduce training cost, and support aviation education globally.

Source: ELITE Simulation Solutions

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Airbus Announces Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries for the Month of September 2025

Global – In September 2025, aircraft manufacturer Airbus:

  • Delivered 73 aircraft to 41 customers
    • 1 A220-100
    • 8 A220-300
    • 1 A319neo
    • 18 A320neo
    • 40 A321neo
    • 4 A330-900
    • 1 A350-900
  • Secured 10 gross orders
  • Year to date Airbus has delivered 507 aircraft to 79 customers.

See last year’s stats here.

AFM Team Note – kindly contact us for a detailed Excel breakdown of orders and deliveries by airline.

Source: Airbus

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