Airways NZ teams up with Emirates to deliver global training

Airways NZ teams up with Emirates to deliver global aviation training

Airways New Zealand is joining forces with global aviation giant Emirates to deliver air traffic control training for up to 200 students per year, at a purpose-built training hub in the Middle East.

New Zealand’s air navigation services provider is renowned globally for its top quality air traffic control training programmes run from its Christchurch and Palmerston North training facilities. Now, in a partnership with Emirates Aviation College, it is spreading its wings to provide ATC training in Dubai for up to 200 students per year over the next five years.

Emirates Aviation College is building a new campus in Dubai, upgrading its existing aviation training facilities at the same time as accommodating the needs of Airways to provide air traffic control training.

“Airways and Emirates are two quality aviation training providers sharing a leading position in the provision of air traffic control training in this region,” says Airways Chief Executive Ed Sims.

“This partnership is also a significant step forward in dealing with the air traffic congestion challenges across the Middle East,” he adds.

Airways attracts students from around the world to New Zealand to undertake air traffic control training at its world-class facilities, and provides training at customers’ locations around the globe. A group from the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA), graduated from their air traffic control training in November after studying with Airways in New Zealand for two years.

Vice Chancellor of Emirates Aviation College, Dr Ahmad Al Ali, says that the partnership fills a critical gap in the Middle East region for the training of air traffic controllers.

“There is a global shortage of air traffic controllers, which has serious repercussions for the aviation industry – particularly in this part of the world where air traffic is expected to continue growing. This new joint venture allows us to capitalise on Airways’ 20 years of experience in training controllers around the world, and to provide a highly-specialised resource that our industry so desperately needs for future development,” said Dr Ahmad Al Ali.

Airways will bring its SureSelect controller selection programme to the new facility in Dubai, to guarantee that only the very best students are selected for training. Its state-of-the-art Total Control simulators will also be installed, providing students with outstanding opportunities to practice different scenarios on real-world software.

Airways will offer air traffic control short courses at Emirates Aviation College from May, and will start ab-initio (basic) air traffic control training from September 2014.

The training is accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which means graduates will be able to obtain ratings at airports around the world.

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