LONDON – On a glittering night studded with industry stars, Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) won the much-coveted Aviation Training Provider of the Year Award at the Aviation Business Middle East Awards 2022.
The award recognises the achievements of a leading training provider or an aviation training academy offering flagship courses to develop the industry. EFTA won on the basis of its course structure, subject range, training facility, and market feedback.
On its website, Aviation Business ME said: “Emirates Flight Training Academy trains the pilots of tomorrow to meet the unique post-pandemic market requirements and be on par with the highest global pilot training standards.”
“Through highly interactive theoretical learning tools, advanced digital content and immersive VR technology, hands-on instruction of modern training aircraft, advanced flight simulators, and airline-focused line-oriented flight training.”
Capt Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy said: “This award comes on the heels of our third graduation ceremony, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved.”
“This award is a great milestone in EFTA’s fascinating and fulfilling journey. It’s an affirming moment for our 100 plus graduates who are now part of the aviation industry, our current cohort of 250 students, our instructors and every single person on our team.”
About Emirates Flight Training Academy
Located in Dubai South, the Emirates Flight Training Academy was launched by Emirates in 2017 to train UAE nationals and international students to become pilots.
The Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 27 training aircraft to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying. EFTA’s fleet has 22 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston and 5 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet aircraft.
EFTA’s state-of-the-art facility, which is equal to 200 football fields, has 36 modern ground classrooms, 6 full motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800 m long runway.
Global pilot shortage
With the global aviation sector grappling with pilot shortages, the news of the Emirates Flight Training Academy’s award achievement comes just after the Academy welcomed 53 new pilots trained at their world-class facility earlier this month.
Latest research shows that the industry is going have to fill a deficit of approximately 34,000 pilots by 2025. When factoring in retirements other generational incidents like the Covid19 pandemic, this could potentially rise up to 50,000.
The Middle East alone could be facing a shortage of 3,000 pilots by as soon as 2023.
The EFTA was originally launched with a sole focus of training UAE nationals to become pilots. In 2019 this changed, and it now welcomes international students into the Academy.
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