The Fiji Airways Aviation Academy is achieving annual cost savings of $22.7 million. A key benefit of the Academy is its capability to provide 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 shared this information in Parliament while discussing strategies to enhance the Academy’s potential. He explained that by managing training in-house, Fiji Airways has avoided significant fees typically charged by external training centers.
“This decision ensures that every dollar spent on training remains within the company, directly supporting its financial health,” Mr. Gavoka stated. He noted that previously, pilots had to travel to various international training locations, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Brisbane, Seattle, and Bangkok. These trips not only involved training fees but also substantial costs for accommodation and daily expenses.
With the establishment of the Academy, such travel expenses have been entirely eradicated. Mr. Gavoka highlighted that pilots can now complete all required training in Fiji, alleviating the financial strain of overseas travel.