Approximately US$260 million investment to date
Emirates and CAE are celebrating the 10-year milestone of their joint partnership in the region. Over the past ten years, the business they formed in the UAE - Emirates CAE Flight Training (ECFT) - has earned a reputation in the industry for training excellence and thanks to a joint investment by the two companies of approximately US $260 million, the centre is now one of the largest in the world.
Emirates, one of the world's fastest-growing airlines and Canadian-based CAE, a global leader in modelling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence, formed a joint venture in 2002 to set up and manage a flight training facility. It was the first training centre of its kind in the Middle East to be approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
From its modest beginnings in a small premises in the Dubai Airport Freezone with just two training full-flight simulators (FFS), the business has grown considerably. Now housed in a bespoke training centre adjacent to the Emirates Aviation College in Garhoud, Dubai, the centre today boasts 13 bays which together provide training for Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream and Hawker Beechcraft aircraft types.
The expansion over the past ten years has increased the training capacity to its current position of servicing over 200 aviation clients and training more than 10,000 pilots and technicians a year. Commercial airlines, business aircraft and helicopter operators also train their crews and maintenance staff at ECFT. In addition, management works in close collaboration with more than 20 different National Aviation Authorities to ensure that their specific requirements are also fulfilled.
While around half the current customer base come from the Middle East region, the facility also provides its services to customers in a wide range of countries worldwide, who send their pilots to Dubai for their training. Approximately 30% come in from Europe and the remainder from across Asia and Africa.
Looking toward the future, Emirates and CAE will expand further next year with the opening of a new training centre in Dubai's Silicon Oasis. The centre, expected to be officially opened before mid-2013, will increase still further the training capacity for both pilots and technicians.
Captions for images:
Image One: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group presents plaques commemorating ten years of the Emirates CAE Flight Training joint venture to: Jeff Roberts, Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services, CAE (left) and Gary Chapman, President, Group Services, Emirates (right).
Image Two: Emirates CAE Flight Training at its current location at the Emirates Aviation College campus near Dubai International Airport is an integral part of the UAE's aviation industry.
About Emirates
Emirates (www.emirates.com) is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and has received more than 500 international awards for excellence. Emirates flies to 128 destinations in 74 countries across six continents. The airline operates 193 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft and has orders for an additional 206 aircraft, worth more than US $74 billion.
About CAE
CAE is a global leader in modelling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence. The company employs approximately 8,000 people at more than 100 sites and training locations in approximately 30 countries. CAE offers civil aviation, military and helicopter training services in more than 45 locations worldwide and trains approximately 100,000 crew members yearly. In addition, the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy offers training to aspiring pilot cadets in 11 CAE-operated flight schools. CAE's business is diversified, ranging from the sale of simulation products to providing comprehensive services such as training and aviation services, integrated enterprise solutions, in-service support and crew sourcing. The company applies simulation expertise and operational experience to help customers enhance safety, improve efficiency, maintain readiness and solve challenging problems. CAE is now leveraging its simulation capabilities in new markets such as healthcare and mining. More information can be found at www.cae.com
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Media contact for Emirates:
Helen Ward, Public Relations Manager
Direct line: +9714 708 2144. Mobile: +971 50 950 8152
E-mail: [email protected]
CAE contacts:
Nathalie Bourque, Vice President, Public Affairs and Global Communications, +1-514-734-5788, [email protected]
Trade media - Civil aviation: Rick Adams, Senior Manager, Marketing Communications - Civil Aviation, +1-214-864-5409, [email protected]
Investor relations: Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategy, +1-514-734-5760, [email protected]
