AEGEAN Invests €30m in Aviation Training Center at Athens Airport

Photo Source: www.aegeanair.com

Greek carrier AEGEAN is investing in the young generation of air transport professionals, and is focusing on the long-term education of its aircrew with the establishment of a new aviation training center at the Athens International Airport.

The announcement was made during an event held last week on occasion of the signing of an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of up to 42 A320neo Family aircraft.

AEGEAN Chairman Eftichios Vassilakis

An investment of 30 million euros,“the center will multiply our facilities… and will cover the needs of our entire aircrew – our pilots and cabin crew,” AEGEAN Chairman Eftichios Vassilakis said, also adding that the center will provide young students with the opportunity to receive proper training in the air transport industry.

The center will cover an area of 12,000 square meters and will operate with the contribution of Airbus in resources and know-how. It will offer education in theory and practice with the operation of two flight simulators, the only privately-owned in Greece. The company is planning to increase their number to six, in order to cover the needs of other aviation organizations.

“The center will be completed in less than two years and will evolve the exceptional aviation know-how and culture of AEGEAN’s experienced pilots, who will also be the core of our educational staff,” AEGEAN CEO Dimitris Geroyiannis said.

Photo Source: www.aegeanair.com

In addition, the Greek carrier this year will launch a scholarship program for young pilots, which will run through to 2019. More specifically, the program will offer a total of 100 scholarships to young candidate pilots, covering up to 90 percent of the cost of their studies in two of Greece’s leading pilot academies, Egnatia Aviation and Global Aviation.

“This is an important initiative, taking into account that the total cost of a pilot’s training is at 75,000-80,000 euros,” Geroyiannis added.

The Greek carrier currently operates the AEGEAN OTA, an Approved Training Organisation by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), which offers theoretical and type rating training on the Airbus A320 series aircraft.