Fiji Airways has significantly upgraded its Aviation Academy with the official launch of two new CAE 7000XR full flight simulators. These state-of-the-art simulators are designed for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft, alongside two CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTDs) for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8.
The new simulators have been installed, commissioned, and certified by EASA and CAAF, representing a key development in the Academy’s mission to provide top-tier training for pilots and engineers. Since opening in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has focused on nurturing local talent and offering a wide range of aviation training solutions.
The Academy is equipped to meet diverse training requirements, including for pilots, cabin crew, engineering, and safety. By bringing advanced training technology to Fiji, the Academy bolsters its capacity to support local aviation professionals, allowing them to stay closer to their families while advancing their careers. This initiative reflects Fiji Airways’ commitment to the well-being and development of its personnel.
With the introduction of these full-flight simulators and FTDs, Fiji Airways is reinforcing its position as a premier aviation training center in the Pacific. The A350 and ATR simulators are set to provide trainees with an advanced, realistic training experience that simulates actual flying conditions using cutting-edge technology.
Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen remarked that the addition of these simulators marks a significant advance for the Academy, underscoring the airline’s commitment to maintaining high training and safety standards and establishing Fiji as a leader in aviation excellence. He emphasized that bringing this technology to Fiji ensures pilots and engineers are equipped to thrive in their careers.
Since its inception, the Academy has achieved several milestones, including maintaining the skills of the national technical crew during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping 34 national pilots progress to flying roles, facilitating 45 Type Ratings for pilots new to specific aircraft, supporting 74 foreign license conversions, and providing training for over 600 local cabin crew members.
In early 2023, the Academy’s Board approved an investment in four additional pilot training devices, which will double the size of the existing synthetic training footprint. The overall investment totals about FJ$160 million, divided into FJ$85 million for Phase 1 and an additional FJ$75 million for Phase 2a.
Currently, the Academy operates with four full flight simulators representing Fiji Airways’ entire fleet and four FTDs, all ready for training. This development showcases the commitment to developing local talent and positioning Fiji as a key player in global aviation.
Fiji Airways plans to continue its investment beyond the current Phase 2a, aiming to make the Academy the leading destination for commercial aviation training in the Pacific. The strategy includes leveraging the training needs of Fiji Airways as the anchor customer while competing for a share of the global airline training market and creating new revenue opportunities for the airline. Additionally, the Academy has surplus capacity that can be offered to foreign airlines, contributing to the sustainable reduction of operating costs.