State-of-the-Art Simulators Commissioned at Training Academy

Fiji Airways has made a major enhancement at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy with the official commissioning of two new CAE 7000XR full flight simulators for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft and two new CAE 500XR Fixed Training Devices (FTDs) for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-Max 8. These simulators have been successfully installed, commissioned, and certified by EASA and CAAF, marking a significant milestone for the Academy.

Since its inauguration in December 2019, the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy has been dedicated to developing local talent and offering comprehensive training solutions. The Academy is equipped to handle a wide range of aviation training needs, including pilot, cabin crew, engineering, and safety training. By bringing advanced training technology directly to Fiji, the Academy enhances its ability to support local professionals and provide training without the need for extensive overseas travel. This approach allows its pilots and engineers to stay closer to their families while advancing their careers.

The A350 and ATR Full Flight simulators will provide the Academy’s trainees with advanced, realistic, and comprehensive training experience, leveraging cutting-edge technology to simulate real-world flying conditions.

“The addition of these new full flight simulators for the A350 and ATR aircraft is a significant step forward for the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy,” said Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen. “By bringing advanced training technology directly to Fiji, we ensure that our pilots and engineers have the tools they need to excel in their careers.”

Since its opening in December 2019, the Academy has achieved several milestones, including maintaining the currency of its national technical crew through the COVID period, facilitating the progression of 34 national pilots in seat positions, undertaking 45 Type Ratings for national pilots new to type, supporting 74 foreign license conversions, re-integrating 13 Fijian pilots returning from overseas employment, and providing the venue for training over 600 local cabin crew.

Early in 2023, the Board approved an investment in four additional pilot training devices that will double the existing synthetic training device footprint. This includes a total investment of approximately FJ$160 million, made up of the original FJ$85 million in Phase 1 and an additional FJ$75 million in Phase 2a. With this new inauguration, the Academy houses four full flight simulators covering all of Fiji Airways’ fleet types and four fixed training devices (FTD’s), all 'ready for training'.

Their aim is to grow the Academy on the firm foundation of Fiji Airways' own training needs as the anchor customer, enabling it to compete for a share of the global airline training market and drive new ancillary revenue streams for the airline.

In addition to providing for Fiji Airways' needs, the Academy has extra capacity for sale to foreign third-party airlines. This third-party revenue will help sustainably reduce the operating costs of the Academy.

Fiji Airways is exhibiting at booth J-903 during the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS), taking place now through 11 September.