Cebu Pacific Air has announced that they have signed a joint venture agreement to establish an aviation training center for airlines in the Asia Pacific region, a CEB press release said.

The joint venture will also be responsible for type-rating training of CEB pilots, and is scheduled to start operations in the third quarter of 2012 in Clark Freeport Zone, and represents an approximate $40-50 million joint investment.

CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei said “We are proud to partner with CAE to support CEB’s growing fleet, expansion plans, and training requirements. This will also help make Asia Pacific’s vibrant aviation industry more appealing in the face of growing competition for well-trained aviation professionals.”

“Airbus’ Global Market Forecast predicts more than 34 percent (9,160) of total global airplane orders until 2030 will go to the Asia Pacific region, of which 5,770 of these will be single-aisle planes like the A320,” he added.

“By partnering with CAE, CEB once again underscores its commitment to enhance the Philippines’ tourism and aviation potentials by producing world-class pilots and crew,” Gokongwei also said.

Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President of Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services, meanwhile said, “We are excited about this new relationship with CEB and the opportunity to help meet the increasing demand for high-quality pilots and other commercial aviation professionals in the Philippines and throughout the region. The new training center will be a world-class, one-stop training center for CEB and a hub for training services for other airlines, the press release said.

The joint venture will initially cater to Airbus A319/320/321 series pilot type-rating training requirements and will provide “wet” instructor-led type-rating training for Cebu Air’s current and new-hire pilots.

Initial, recurrent, conversion and jet indoctrination training will be available to other Airbus operators, the press release said.

The state-of-the-art training center will be developed in consultation with CAE’s training facilities design team. It will initially be equipped with two Airbus A320 FFSs with capability to expand by two additional simulators.

The aviation academy is expected to provide training for other aviation personnel in the future, such as cabin crew, dispatch, ground handling personnel and cadets, the press release added.*

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