Sepang: AirAsia Bhd's pilot training academy is expected to produce up to 5,000 pilots a year, up from the current 400 pilots, following the implementation of the second-phase of a RM40 million-expansion plan.
 
"The academy is our best moment because this is for the future," said AirAsia's group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes. "It also shows Malaysia's capability as we train pilots from all over the world." He was speaking to reporters after signing a partnership agreement with CAE.

The second phase of the academy, which is scheduled for completion by June this year, will see the addition of classrooms, multi-purpose halls, a swimming pool and other facilities.

Fernandes said that the academy has trained pilots from the Middle East, India, China, the Philippines and Singapore.

Meanwhile, CAE has said that it has selected Kuala Lumpur as its Southeast Asian training hub. The company, based in Canada, said it would leverage on its existing partnership with AirAsia to develop an aviation centre of excellence and expand within the region.

CAE will deliver world-class aviation training to pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew for airlines across Southeast Asia, and Kuala Lumpur will be its regional hub for the Multi-Crew Pilot Licence and Airbus Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) training.

CAE's group president of innovation and civil training and services, Jeff Roberts, said Southeast Asia was currently facing a shortage of pilots, and that more than 1,000 pilots were needed annually in the region over the next 20 years.

Currently, the academy is equipped with three simulators -- two CAE-built Airbus A320s belonging to AirAsia and a Boeing 737-300 owned by CAE.

CAE offers training services for pilots and maintenance technicians via a network of 24 aviation training centres to a range of clients worldwide. To address the worldwide shortage of pilots, CAE founded the CAE Global Academy, a global network of flight training organizations.

One of the founding members of the CAE Global Academy, HM Aerospace, is located in Malaysia.

CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1 billion, CAE employs approximately 6,000 people at more than 75 sites and training locations in 20 countries.