The Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has achieved annual cost savings of $22.7 million. One of the key benefits of the Academy is its capability to conduct all essential training internally. This encompasses initial type ratings, common type ratings, recurrent training, remedial training, and license conversion.
Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka discussed this in Parliament, addressing inquiries about the Academy’s potential expansion strategy. He stated that by providing these training services in-house rather than outsourcing them to third-party providers, Fiji Airways has avoided considerable fees that would have been charged by external training centers.
“This strategy ensures that every dollar spent on training stays within the company, directly enhancing its financial stability,” Mr. Gavoka remarked. He noted that previously, pilots had to travel to international training locations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Brisbane, Seattle, and Bangkok, incurring not only training fees but also significant accommodation and living expenses.
With the establishment of the Academy, these costs have been completely eliminated, allowing pilots to complete all necessary training in Fiji, thereby alleviating the financial burden associated with overseas travel.