Fiji Airways has announced a significant upgrade at its Aviation Academy with the official launch of two new CAE 7000XR full flight simulators. These advanced simulators are designed for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft, along with two CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTDs) for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8.
The installation, commissioning, and certification of these state-of-the-art simulators by EASA and CAAF represent a key achievement in the Academy’s mission to provide top-tier training for pilots and engineers. Since its opening in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has been focused on fostering local talent and offering extensive training options.
The Academy is equipped to cater to a variety of aviation training requirements, encompassing pilot, cabin crew, engineering, and safety training. By introducing advanced training technologies in Fiji, it enhances the ability to support local professionals and provide high-quality training without necessitating significant overseas travel. This model allows pilots and engineers to stay close to their families while enhancing their careers, reflecting the company’s commitment to their well-being and development.
The integration of full-flight simulators and fixed training devices strengthens Fiji Airways’ status as a premier aviation training center in the Pacific. The A350 and ATR full flight simulators aim to deliver the most advanced and realistic training experiences, utilizing cutting-edge technology to replicate real-world flying scenarios.
Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, remarked, “The introduction of these new full flight simulators for the A350 and ATR aircraft marks a significant advancement for the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy. This initiative underscores our commitment to the highest training and safety standards for our pilots and engineers, and reinforces our goal of establishing Fiji as a regional leader in aviation excellence. By bringing advanced technology to Fiji, we enable our pilots and engineers to have the resources they need to thrive in their careers.”
Since its inception, the Academy has reached notable milestones, including keeping the national technical crew current during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating the advancement of 34 national pilots in operational roles, completing 45 Type Ratings for new national pilots, aiding 74 foreign license conversions, re-integrating 13 Fijian pilots from overseas, and training over 600 local cabin crew members.
Earlier in 2023, the Board greenlit an investment in four additional pilot training devices, which will double the current synthetic training device capacity. The total investment amounts to around FJ$160 million, which includes an initial FJ$85 million in Phase 1 and an additional FJ$75 million in Phase 2a.
With the recent inauguration, the Academy now features four full flight simulators that accommodate all of Fiji Airways’ fleet types, along with four FTDs that are fully ready for training. This development underscores the commitment to cultivating local talent and ensuring Fiji remains a leader in global aviation.
The Academy plans to continue its investments beyond Phase 2a, aiming to establish itself as the Pacific’s preferred site for commercial aviation training. The intention is to develop the Academy on the solid foundation of Fiji Airways’ training needs while also competing for a share of the global airline training market to generate new revenue streams for the airline.
In addition to serving Fiji Airways, the Academy has available capacity for foreign third-party airlines, with the revenue from this sector contributing to the sustainable reduction of operating costs for the Academy.