Fiji Airways has announced a significant enhancement to its Airways Aviation Academy, with the installation of state-of-the-art full-flight simulators for Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said: “This investment provides world-class aviation training locally, empowering more Fijians, especially women, to build careers in aviation.”
As per report the new CAE 7000XR Series full-flight simulators (FFS), approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), surpass Level D regulatory requirements, ensuring high training standards.
The simulators are part of a major investment of approximately FJ$160 million, which includes two new CAE 7000XR full-flight simulators for Airbus A350 and ATR-72 planes, as well as two CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices for Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft.
These advanced training devices, which have already been installed, commissioned, and certified, mark a pivotal milestone for the Academy in providing world-class training for pilots and engineers.
Speaking at the commissioning, Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, emphasised the importance of this investment.
“The addition of these full-flight simulators is a significant step forward for the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy. It reflects our commitment to delivering the highest standards of training and safety for our pilots while establishing Fiji as a leader in regional aviation excellence,” Viljoen said.
Viljoen further highlighted that the Academy, since its inception in December 2019, has been dedicated to developing local talent and providing comprehensive training solutions for a wide range of aviation needs, including pilot, cabin crew, engineering, and safety training. With these new simulators, the Academy can offer even more advanced, realistic training, simulating real-world flying conditions.
The Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has achieved numerous milestones since its launch, including supporting the training and progression of local pilots, foreign license conversions, and reintegration of Fijian pilots returning from overseas.
It is expected that the new simulators will not only cater to Fiji Airways’ internal needs but also offer additional capacity for third-party airlines, generating new revenue streams for the airline.
“The arrival of these simulators will enable our pilots and engineers to receive cutting-edge training without the need for international travel, allowing them to stay closer to their families while advancing their careers,” Viljoen added.
He also outlined the Academy’s future goals, including further expansion to become the Pacific’s preferred aviation training destination, aiming to compete globally in the commercial airline training market.
Earlier this year, Fiji Airways was named Best Airline in Australia & Pacific for the 2nd year running at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, alongside its crew winning Best Airline Staff for the 4th time.
With this new development, Fiji Airways cements its position as a leader in aviation training in the Pacific, offering top-tier facilities and training programmes that benefit not only local professionals but also the wider aviation industry.
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