Etihad orders Airbus, Boeing flight simulators

MANILA, Philippines - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has purchased seven state-of-the-art full flight simulators (FFS) which will be based at the airline’s world-class training academy in Abu Dhabi.

The deal with Canadian manufacturer CAE, worth more than $200 million at list prices, will see Etihad Airways take delivery of its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 FFS, and will support the airline’s growing training requirements.

In total Etihad Airways has ordered three Boeing 787 FFS, one Airbus A380 FFS, one Airbus A350 FFS, and two Airbus A320 FFS. All are CAE 7000 Series models. The airline currently has four CAE FFS: one Boeing 777, one Airbus A320 and two Airbus A330/340s.

A multimillion dollar extension project is currently being undertaken at the training academy and is due for completion in early November 2013, with the first of the new FFS, an A320, scheduled for delivery later that month. The remaining FFS will arrive during the following 12 months.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive, said: “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.

“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. The construction work at the training academy will double its size and eventually house 11 full flight simulators and be among the best in the world.”

The deal with CAE includes update services for the FFS and an exclusive 10-year agreement for training equipment and services. The flight training devices include CAE Simfinity Airbus Pilot Transition trainers and CAE Simfinity Integrated Procedures Trainers.

CAE will continue to update Etihad Airways’ existing four CAE-built FFS to the latest aircraft configurations and technology. The technology includes the latest generation CAE Tropos 6000 XR visual system.

Arif Lalani, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said: “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.

“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.”

Nick Leontidis, CAEs group president, civil simulation products, training and services, said: “We are delighted to continue growing our relationship with Etihad Airways, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, and to support the airline with its growing pilot training needs.

“The sophistication of the full flight simulators and software technology is breathtaking and will serve the airline, and its partners, very well over the coming decade.”

Etihad Airways currently has a fleet of 77 Airbus and Boeing narrow and wide body aircraft, and more than 90 aircraft on firm order, including 41 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus 380s, the world’s largest passenger aircraft.