Cebu Pacific, Canadian firm to open aviation academy

$50 Million more for Flight Simulators

December 16, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) and Canadian aviation training firm Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) will open an aviation training center in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga next year. 

In a statement on Friday, the Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific said it signed a joint venture agreement with CAE for the establishment of an aviation academy. 

The aviation academy is scheduled to start operations in the third quarter of 2012 in Clark Freeport Zone. The estimated cost of the joint investment is pegged at $40-$50 million. 

"We are proud to partner with CAE to support CEB’s growing fleet, expansion plans, and training requirements. This will also help make Asia Pacific’s vibrant aviation industry more appealing in the face of growing competition for well-trained aviation professionals," said CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, in a statement.

The aviation academy will train not only Cebu Pacific pilots but also pilots from other airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Gokongwei noted that Airbus’ Global Market Forecast predicted that more than 34% of total global airplane orders through 2030 will go to the Asia Pacific region.

"By partnering with CAE, CEB once again underscores its commitment to enhance the Philippines’ tourism and aviation potentials by producing world-class pilots and crew," he added.

Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President of Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services, said: "We are excited about this new relationship with CEB and the opportunity to help meet the increasing demand for high-quality pilots and other commercial aviation professionals in the Philippines and throughout the region. The new training center will be a world-class, one-stop training center for CEB."

The state-of-the-art training center is being developed in consultation with a training facilities design team from CAE. Two Airbus A320 flight simulator systems will initially be used at the center.

CAE said it has sold three (3) Level D full-flight simulators or FFS to the Philippines, both A320 to the new Cebu Pacific-CAE joint venture aviation training centre in the Philippines (2), and for Alpha Aviation Group's flight training academy in the Philippines (1).

CAE is described as "a world leader in providing simulation and modeling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defense forces" worldwide.  It has training locations in more than 20 countries. - abs-cbnNEWS.com