MANILA, Philippines - Global aviation training services provider Alpha Aviation Group Philippines will aggressively expand its operations in the Philippines.
Kunal Sharma, chief operating officer of the multinational flight school based at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, said the company, which currently operates and maintains an Airbus A320 simulator at its four-bay simulator facility, is banking on the projected sustained growth of the local commercial aviation industry.
The sector is currently driven by stiff competition among an expanding field of budget airlines, and an equally bullish regional market.
“I’m pleased to announce that we have invested in the state-of-the-art Airbus A320 Level D full flight simulator,” Sharma said.
“This is a multimillion-dollar investment that demonstrates our commitment to the Philippines, Philippine aviation, and training Filipinos for high-paying, professionally fulfilling jobs,” he said.
The new flight simulator will provide Alpha Aviation Group with the capability to deliver 6,000 hours of training annually, roughly enough to prepare 300 new pilots for certification.
Launched in 2006, the Alpha Aviation Group is currently the world’s largest provider of Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) pilots.
It is one of three academies under the Alpha Aviation Group, a UK-based provider of specialist training solutions to the international commercial aviation community. It is also an Approved Training Organization and a certified Type Rating Training Organization for the Airbus A320.
“Graduates of Alpha Aviation Group have established successful careers in the aviation industry. The training we provide is based on international standards, which prepares cadets to work anywhere in the globe,” said Capt. Andrew McKenchnie, chief training officer.
The Alpha Aviation Group provides highly disciplined operating efficiencies to ensure “on-time and on-schedule” delivery of training services both to pilots and airlines, said director for operations Andy Mcintosh.
Sharma said Maybank is providing the financing for the acquisition of the state-of-the-art simulator.
“Maybank believes in our vision for the Philippines as an emerging center of Asian aviation, especially in the training of the region’s pilots,” Sharma said.
As an independent training services provider, the Alpha Aviation Group counts most airline companies in the Philippines among its clients.
About 80 percent of the training it provides is for Filipinos employed by Airphil Express, Cebu Pacific, Zest Air and SEAir. International clients include Air Arabia and Jet Airways.