New Zealand has been a key global pilot training hub for decades and is keen to ensure that this position continues into the future. John Nicholson, CEO of the country’s Aviation Industry Association ‘Aviation New Zealand’ has shared the following statement;

“Over 60% of the cadets going through the New Zealand pilot training system pre-Covid were international students. They came from the United Kingdom, India, Australia and Japan and, in more recent times, Vietnam and Indonesia. While New Zealand student numbers have remained strong, with the border closed, overseas students have been completing their training and returning to home countries.

Recognising the growing international demand for pilots, overseas customer perceptions of the high quality and high value training provided in New Zealand, the government opened the border for international cadets (fixed wing and rotary) early this year and has now removed all quantitative restrictions. Already we’ve seen good numbers of cadets from India and Vietnam come to the country, along with cadets from the Pacific and other parts of Asia.

International students wishing to train at any of the 12 fixed wing or two rotary training schools, located throughout New Zealand and primarily in regional locations, will be warmly welcomed. The next major training intakes start in January.”

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