Fiji Airways has announced significant upgrades to its Aviation Academy with the introduction of two new CAE 7000XR full flight simulators designed for Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft, along with two CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTDs) for Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8. These advanced simulators have been successfully installed, commissioned, and certified by EASA and CAAF, marking a notable achievement in the Academy’s ongoing effort to provide top-tier training for pilots and engineers.
Since its launch in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has been committed to nurturing local talent and delivering extensive training programs. The Academy caters to a variety of aviation training requirements, including pilot, cabin crew, engineering, and safety training.
By bringing cutting-edge training technology to Fiji, the Academy enhances its capacity to support local professionals, allowing them to pursue career advancement without having to travel abroad extensively. This local approach helps pilots and engineers remain close to their families while progressing in their careers, reflecting the Academy’s dedication to their welfare and professional development.
The integration of these full-flight simulators and fixed training devices establishes Fiji Airways as a premier aviation training institution in the Pacific. The A350 and ATR Full Flight simulators will offer trainees an advanced, realistic, and thorough training experience that simulates real-world flying scenarios.
Fiji Airways’ Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, emphasized that the introduction of these new simulators marks a key advancement for the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy. He highlighted the airline’s commitment to maintaining high training and safety standards, reinforcing its pledge to position Fiji as a regional hub for aviation excellence.
Since its establishment, the Academy has reached several important milestones, including maintaining national technical crew qualifications during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiding 34 national pilots in securing seat positions, facilitating 45 Type Ratings for pilots, supporting 74 foreign license conversions, integrating 13 Fijian pilots returning from abroad, and training over 600 local cabin crew members.
Earlier in 2023, the Board sanctioned an investment in four additional pilot training devices, effectively doubling the existing synthetic training device capacity. This project represents a total investment of around FJ$160 million, divided between the initial FJ$85 million and an extra FJ$75 million for Phase 2a.
With the recent commissioning, the Academy now features four full flight simulators, which encompass all of Fiji Airways’ fleet types, as well as four fixed training devices (FTDs), all prepared for training activities. This advancement underscores the commitment to fostering local talent and ensuring Fiji remains a key player in the global aviation sector.
The Academy plans to continue its investments beyond Phase 2a, aspiring to become the go-to destination for commercial aviation training in the Pacific. The aim is to build the Academy on a solid foundation, anchored by Fiji Airways’ own training requirements, while also attracting foreign airlines to create additional revenue streams for the airline. This third-party business will contribute to sustainably lowering the Academy’s operational costs.