Middle East Flag Carrier to Receive Multiple FFS in 2026

United Arab Emirates - Emirates's Senior Vice President of Flight Training Captain Bader Almarzooqi shared with media at the Dubai Airshow that the airline is adding a number of full flight simulators in 2026, adding multiple next-generation devices to support a surge in pilot-training demand driven by its incoming Boeing 777-9 and Airbus A350 fleets.

• Emirates Aviation College currently has a capacity of 17 simulator bays, housing 2 Airbus A350, 6 Boeing 777-300, and 5 Airbus A380 full-flight simulators.

• A number of new devices is now scheduled for installation:

  • One additional A350 simulator arriving in November and expected to be operational by March 2026

  • A new Boeing 777-300 simulator to be ready by April 2026

  • Emirates’ first Boeing 777-9 simulator, scheduled to enter service in June 2026

  • Boeing 787 simulators are confirmed as well but the timelines for installation are under evaluation

• The additions will increase Emirates’ widebody training throughput at a time when the airline has placed orders for 65 Boeing 777-9s and an extra eight Airbus A350-900s, alongside 13 A350 aircraft already in service.

• Captain Bader Almarzooqi, Senior Vice President of Flight Training, noted that the facility is preparing for sustained growth: the 777-9 simulator will allow rapid conversion from existing B777 ratings with minimal bridging—similar to Airbus’ CCQ model—enhancing training efficiency.

• The Emirates Flight Training Academy continues to graduate around six pilots per month, with an A350 cadet programme planned for launch in January 2026.

• Emirates currently employs around 4,800 pilots and has already met its recruitment targets for the current financial year, with a pre-selected pool ready for intake from April 2026.

Source: Emirates