Greek airline AEGEAN, has partnered with civil aviation training organisation CAE to establish the first advanced flight training centre in Greece. It is set to become the most advanced flight training operation in south-eastern Europe.
It is anticipated the pilot and cabin crew training programs will begin by the end of 2023 at the new facility.
Full flight simulators
With a capacity for up to seven full-flight simulators, the AEGEAN CAE Flight Training Centre will be part of AEGEAN’s new 85,000 m2 technical base at Athens International Airport.
The joint venture will initially operate four full-flight simulators, including two Airbus A320neo, one Boeing 737NG, and one ATR 72-600, as well as cabin crew training equipment.
The facility will have space for three additional full-flight simulators to bring the operational complement up to 7.
At full capacity, the centre will be able to train up to 3,500 pilots (42,000 pilot training hours) and many more cabin crew annually.
€140 million investment in local aviation
The new Flight Training Centre expands CAE’s global training network and is integral to the creation of AEGEAN’s aviation ecosystem in Greece.
This is part of AEGEAN’s €140 million investment to bolster the local aviation industry and position the airline and Greece as an aviation hub in Southeastern Europe.
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The Flight Training Centre will be powered by solar energy produced by the 35,000 m2 of photovoltaic panels embedded in AEGEAN’s new “green” hangar.
Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of AEGEAN, commented: “It is with great pride that I announce this significant partnership with CAE, the global leader in civil aviation training, to establish the first aviation ecosystem for flight training and technical support services in Greece.”
“AEGEAN and CAE bring their distinct expertise and know-how to the joint venture, but they share common values when it comes to developing people.”
“From the very beginning, AEGEAN’s vision has been to add significant value to our country and the local aviation industry by giving our people the opportunity to sharpen their skills and reach their full potential.”
“We’re excited to partner with AEGEAN to create the most advanced Flight Training Centre in the region and expand our commercial aviation training network to Athens,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation.
“AEGEAN and CAE have shared values and we look forward to joining forces to elevate human performance and deliver an unrivaled training experience for pilots and cabin crew. “
“As an integral part of Greece’s newly established aviation ecosystem, we look forward to a successful joint venture with AEGEAN and to seeing the aviation industry flourish in Greece and the entire region.”
The first aviation ecosystem for technical support and training in Greece
AEGEAN first announced the proposed investment of €140 million in December 2022.
The airline planned to the country’s first Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility (MRO) and the first Simulator Training Facility for pilots and cabin crew members.
Upon maturity, the investment is expected to create up to 500 new direct jobs and a total of more than 1,100 new direct and indirect high-skilled jobs over a five-to-seven-year period.
The two main parallel activities will be:
MRO
The maintenance and support centre (MRO), with the development of a technical base of up to 10 maintenance, repair and technical control positions for various types of aircraft.
Flight Training
The AEGEAN CAE Flight Training Centre for pilots and cabin crew members, utilizing up to seven state-of-the-art full-flight flight simulators for the main aircraft types, as well as facilities special cabin crew training.
