Fiji Airways has unveiled significant enhancements at its Aviation Academy with the introduction of two new CAE 7000XR full flight simulators designed for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft. Alongside these simulators, the academy has also added two new CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTDs) for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8.
These advanced simulators have been installed, commissioned, and certified by both EASA and CAAF, representing a crucial step forward in the Academy’s goal to provide top-tier training for pilots and engineers. Since its establishment in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has focused on cultivating local talent and offering extensive training options.
Equipped to meet diverse aviation training demands, the Academy provides programs for pilots, cabin crew, engineering, and safety training. By implementing advanced training technology in Fiji, the initiative enhances support for local aviation professionals, allowing them to pursue career advancement without the need for extensive travel abroad. This strategy also enables pilots and engineers to remain closer to their families while progressing in their careers, reflecting the airline’s commitment to their welfare and growth.
The inclusion of these full-flight simulators and FTDs reinforces Fiji Airways’ status as a premier aviation training center in the Pacific. The new simulators will deliver an advanced, realistic, and comprehensive training experience, using cutting-edge technology to replicate real-world flying scenarios.
Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, remarked that the introduction of these new flight simulators for the A350 and ATR aircraft represents a significant advancement for the Aviation Academy. He emphasized that this move underscores their commitment to delivering superior training and safety standards for pilots and engineers, while positioning Fiji as a regional hub for aviation excellence.
Since its inception, the Academy has reached several notable achievements, including maintaining the national technical crew’s currency during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating the advancement of 34 national pilots into various positions, completing 45 Type Ratings for new national pilots, supporting 74 foreign license conversions, reintegrating 13 Fijian pilots from overseas, and training over 600 local cabin crew.
Earlier in 2023, the Board approved an investment for four additional pilot training devices, which will double the current synthetic training capacity. This initiative involves a total investment of roughly FJ$160 million, split between the initial FJ$85 million in Phase 1 and an extra FJ$75 million in Phase 2a.
With the latest launch, the Academy now features four full flight simulators that cover all types in the Fiji Airways fleet, as well as four FTDs, all prepared for training. This advancement highlights the airline’s dedication to developing local talent and keeping Fiji at the forefront of the global aviation industry.
Looking ahead, Fiji Airways plans to continue investing in the Academy beyond the current Phase 2a, aiming to establish it as the premier destination for commercial aviation training in the Pacific. The Academy’s growth will be built on Fiji Airways’ own training needs as the primary customer, enabling it to compete in the global airline training market and generate additional revenue streams for the airline. Additionally, the Academy will have extra capacity available for international third-party airlines, which will contribute to decreasing operational costs sustainably.