Fiji Airways has made a significant upgrade to its Aviation Academy by officially launching two new CAE 7000XR full flight simulators designed for Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft. In addition, two new CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTDs) have been introduced for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8.
These advanced simulators have been installed, commissioned, and certified by EASA and CAAF, marking a key achievement in the Academy’s mission to provide world-class training for pilots and engineers. Since its establishment in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has focused on nurturing local talent and delivering comprehensive training solutions.
The Academy is well-equipped to meet various aviation training requirements, including those for pilots, cabin crew, engineering, and safety. The introduction of cutting-edge training technology in Fiji allows for better support of local professionals and high-quality training without necessitating extensive travel abroad. This initiative enables pilots and engineers to remain close to their families while enhancing their careers, demonstrating Fiji Airways’ commitment to their welfare and development.
The new full-flight simulators and FTDs further enhance Fiji Airways’ status as a premier aviation training center in the Pacific. The A350 and ATR simulators will offer trainees a sophisticated, realistic, and thorough training experience using advanced technology to replicate actual flying scenarios.
Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, commented on the significance of these new simulators, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to high training and safety standards for its pilots and engineers while aiming to position Fiji as a regional aviation leader. He highlighted that this investment ensures that local aviation professionals are equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in their careers.
Since opening, the Academy has reached notable achievements, including keeping the national technical crew updated during the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing 34 national pilots to flying positions, managing 45 Type Ratings for new national pilots, supporting 74 foreign license conversions, welcoming back 13 Fijian pilots from overseas, and training over 600 local cabin crew members.
In early 2023, the Board approved funds for four additional pilot training devices, which will double the Academy’s synthetic training device capabilities, involving an investment of approximately FJ$160 million. This amount includes FJ$85 million from Phase 1 and an additional FJ$75 million from Phase 2a.
Following this inauguration, the Academy now features four full flight simulators that cover all of Fiji Airways’ fleet types along with four fixed training devices, all primed for training. This development reinforces the commitment to fostering local talent and ensuring Fiji remains a leader in global aviation.
Looking ahead, Fiji Airways plans to continue investing in the Academy beyond Phase 2a, aiming to establish it as the leading destination for commercial aviation training in the Pacific. The Academy will serve not only the needs of Fiji Airways but also accommodate foreign third-party airlines, with the additional revenue helping to sustainably lower operating costs.