Emirates opens $135m pilot training centre in Dubai
Emirates has opened a $135 million flight crew training centre in Dubai, focused on expanding pilot instruction for its Airbus A350 fleet and upcoming Boeing 777X aircraft.
The facility increases Emirates' pilot training capacity by 54%, adding 45,000 hours annually.
"Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, said: "Our new Emirates Crew Training Centre is a gamechanger and has a significant role to play, both in the industry's ecosystem and Dubai's emergence as a global aviation hub. Every dirham of our AED500 million investment is already delivering value."
The 63,318-square-foot facility houses six full-flight simulator bays and sits near other Emirates training centres in Dubai.
In addition, Emirates integrates the simulators with its in-house developed Pilot Support Station (PSS), an industry-first design that enables pilots to configure flight decks, create flight plans, and rehearse procedures in a realistic environment prior to formal training. The PSS enables instructors to record each training session in detail, allowing pilots to receive comprehensive performance feedback and target areas for improvement.
Beyond simulator training, the centre also includes four classrooms for recurrent, conversion, and command training. In addition to the new training centre, Emirates continues to invest in training and development for aviation professionals through its other facilities in Dubai, including the Emirates Flight Training Academy for cadets, Emirates Aviation University, Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre, and Emirates Aviation College, which offer technical, specialist, and soft skills courses for employees and the broader aviation community.
