Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
ETHIOPIAN Airlines has announced the acquisition of the first A350 XWB Simulator Operator in Africa and becoming one of the few in the world to have the simulator.
With this milestone, the airline has topped yet another level in the continent.
This machine is fitted with a full electrical motion system which delivers improved performance while providing energy savings and environmental benefits.
Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, remarked: “The introduction of the A350 XWB Full-Flight Simulator is a continuation of our pioneering role in African aviation Technology. It is part of our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap to be fully self-sufficient in the provision of pilot training in all the aircraft type we operate. It complements the other full-flight simulators we are already operating such as the B787, B-777, B737, B757, B767 and Q400. All in all, we have invested over 125 million $ in the last 7 years to expand and upgrade all the facets of our training capabilities. These investments are meant to bridge the aviation skill gap in Africa and to avail well trained and qualified aviation professionals in the continent. Education is the biggest Equalizer of our time and our aim is to make Africa self-sufficient in aviation professionals.”
The Pilot Training School of the airline has trained pilots from over 52 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe for close to 50 years. With its over six decades of existence, the training division of the airline, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, ICAO designated center of excellence, is a world class Aviation Training Center equipped with state-of-the-art and best in class training equipment and technology offering full range of Aviation Training Programs. Taking delivery of Africa’s first Airbus A350 XWB in 2016, Ethiopian currently operates 7 A350 XWBs with 17 on order.
