Fiji Airways has introduced advanced simulators at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy. The new equipment includes a CAE 7000XR full flight simulator for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 models, along with two CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTD) intended for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft. These simulators are certified by both EASA and CAAF, significantly enhancing the Academy’s ability to provide top-tier training for pilots and engineers.
Fiji Airways’ CEO and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, emphasized that the addition of the full flight simulators represents a major advancement for the Academy. He noted that this move underscores the company’s commitment to delivering high standards of training and safety for their personnel and reinforces Fiji’s ambition to emerge as a regional hub for aviation excellence. “By integrating advanced training technology in Fiji, we are equipping our pilots and engineers with the essential tools to thrive in their careers,” Viljoen stated.
Established in December 2019, the Academy has played a crucial role in nurturing local talent and minimizing the necessity for overseas training. With a total investment of around $160 million, this expansion enables the Academy to not only fulfill the training requirements of Fiji Airways but also offer services to third-party airlines, thus opening new revenue opportunities.