Etihad Airways orders flight simulators costing Dh735m

Seven simulators will be added as the company's academy expands to support its growing training requirements.

ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways has purchased seven full flight simulators to be installed at the airline's training academy in the capital, starting in early November.

The simulators, which are worth more than Dh734.6 million, will be included as part of the academy's expansion project to support its growing training requirements.

"The pilot training requirements for Etihad Airways, as well as members of our equity alliance, continue to grow and these new, full flight simulators will ensure we are ideally placed for the next phase in our expansion," said James Hogan, president and chief executive of Etihad.

"We place great emphasis on the efficiency of our operations and the safety of our passengers and this deal means we will be using the most advanced training technologies for the broadest range of aircraft types."

Etihad Airways has ordered from Canadian company CAE three Boeing 787, one Airbus A380, one Airbus A350 and two Airbus A320 flight simulators to join their four existing machines.

The airline currently has one Boeing 777, one Airbus A320 and two Airbus A330/340 simulators for training.

Arif Lalani, the Canadian ambassador to the UAE, and Nick Leontidis, CAE group president, both expressed their pleasure with the partnership.

"This long-term agreement between Etihad Airways and CAE demonstrates the economic opportunities that result from the strong and innovative commercial relationships that exist between our two countries," said the ambassador.

"I am proud that Canadian simulation and training technology and expertise from CAE will continue to be one of the cornerstones supporting the rapidly growing pilot training requirements of Etihad Airways."

Etihad currently has a fleet of 77 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with more than 90 on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft.