CAE and Avianca Holdings (Avianca) announced the official opening of a new CAE training centre in Bogota, Colombia.  The milestone event officially marked the start of a 15-year exclusive pilot training agreement between CAE and Avianca Airlines. In addition to Avianca, the centre will offer training services to airlines in the region.

“Our Bogota training centre will have the capacity to train approximately 2,500 pilots per year, which will allow Avianca and other Latin American airlines to address their increasing need for pilots,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions.

“This new training centre joins our global network of more than 55 training locations and is a clear demonstration of CAE’s ongoing commitment to better support airlines by providing pilot training close to their home bases.’’

“Having this state-of-the-art flight training centre locally, with CAE instructors providing training on the most advanced technology, will allow Avianca to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety and service for our passengers,’’ said Ana Maria Rubio, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Avianca Holding.

CAE Bogota is expected to operate seven full-flight simulators (FFS) by the end of 2019. The centre currently offers training on multiple aircraft types with three Airbus A320 full-flight simulators (FFS), an ATR 72 FFS, and a Boeing B787 FFS.

An Airbus A330 FFS and an additional Airbus A320 FFS will be added later this year. The centre is also equipped with Airbus, ATR and Boeing aircraft type flight training devices.