SIA & Airbus to establish joint training centre

Singapore Airlines and Airbus have signed an MoU at the Singapore Airshow to establish a flight training joint venture in Singapore.

SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong and Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier at the signing of the joint-venture agreement. (Airbus)

The facility, to be called Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC), will initially operate from the SIA Training Centre near Changi Airport before moving to a new dedicated facility at Seletar Aerospace Park, and will provide type rating and recurrent training on full-flight simulators for Airbus A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 models.

“Demand for air travel is forecast to continue growing steadily in the Asia-Pacific region and the joint venture will help the industry keep pace with training requirements,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong in a statement. “The partnership makes good business sense for Singapore Airlines, while also enhancing Singapore’s position as a leading aviation hub.

The new centre will be 55 per cent owned by Airbus and 45 per cent owned by Singapore Airlines, and is expected to commence operations by the end of 2014.