Prime Highlights
- Emirates has inaugurated a £100 million pilot training centre in Dubai, adding 45,000 annual training hours and boosting total capacity to 130,000 hours.
- Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum called the project a “strategic investment” and “industry milestone”as the airline prepares for its growing fleet.
Key Facts
- The centre features six simulator bays, including Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X simulators, with the first A350 simulator earning EASA Level D certification, a global first.
- Emirates’ new facility will train around 1,000 pilots annually, supported by advanced tools like a Pilot Support Station and an in-house 3D printing unit,saving up to AED 1 million per year.
Background
Emirates Airlines has opened a new £100 million pilot training centre in Dubai, significantly boosting its training capacity as the airline prepares to integrate Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft into its fleet. The new centre adds 45,000 training hours each year, increasing the airline’s total capacity to 130,000 hours once fully operational.
Located near Emirates’ existing training facilities, the centre includes six full-flight simulator bays. Two Airbus A350 simulators are already in use, and four more simulators for the A350 and Boeing 777X will be added over the next two years. This expansion helps Emirates train approximately 1,000 pilots annually, keeping pace with its growing fleet.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates, called the centre a “strategic investment” and an “industry milestone.” The facility features a Pilot Support Station, allowing pilots to set up flight decks, prepare flight plans, and review training sessions with full recordings. This improves learning and efficiency.
Also, a 3D printing unit will help Emirates to manufacture intricate components for simulators, which may save the company up to AED 1 million (£200,000) per year and enhance versatility.
Emirates’ first A350 simulator earned Level D certification, the highest safety standard, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), becoming the first in the world to achieve this with zero findings.
The training centre also includes four classrooms to support recurrent training, conversion courses, and command upgrade programs. It forms part of Emirates’ wider education network, including its Flight Training Academy and Aviation University.
The opening of the facility makes Emirates a stronger leader in the sphere of aviation training, as it will be able to have a sufficient number of skilled pilots. The company has been aggressively hiring pilots under different entry programs to address emerging demands.
