Emirates and Airways NZ launch ATC training

Emirates Aviation University and Airways New Zealand and have today officially opened their purpose-built air traffic control training facility in Dubai, one of the world's largest air transport hubs.

Airways, New Zealand's air navigation services provider, will deliver air traffic control training for to up to 200 students per year at the campus over the next five years. The first course will be held at the facility in late May.

Vice Chancellor of Emirates Aviation University, Dr Ahmad al Ali, says the programme fills a critical gap in the Middle East region for the training of air traffic controllers.

"There is a global shortage of air traffic controllers, which has serious repercussions for the aviation industry – particularly in this part of the world where air traffic is expected to continue growing.  This joint venture allows us to capitalise on Airways' 20 years of experience in training controllers around the world, and to provide a highly-specialised resource that our industry so desperately needs for future development," said Dr Ahmad Al Ali. 

"Emirates Aviation University already has a track record and reputation for providing world-class aviation training. This partnership with Airways complements our existing training programmes and further cements our position as the leading centre for aviation-related training and education," says Dr Al Ali.

Sharon Cooke, Airways' Head of Training, says the organisation will provide a full suite of ATC ab-initio, air traffic services operations and air traffic management training programmes at the university. Airways has installed a state-of-the-art Total Control simulator at the facility, providing students with a highly realistic tower experience via three-dimensional high definition graphics.

"We're delighted to be working with an organisation as prestigious as EAU. Our track record in the provision of world-class ATC training and technologies, combined with EAU's wider aviation portfolio and educational leadership in the region, sees this partnership well placed for success," said Ms Cooke.

Airways' partnership with EAU is helping to fuel growth of the region's fast moving aviation sector. In 2013 the aviation sector made an estimated US$16.5 billion value-added contribution to Dubai's economy, equivalent to 16.5% of Dubai's economy-wide GDP. Beyond 2020, the sector's contribution is estimated at US$48.6 billion, or 24.7% of Dubai's GDP.

Airways has worked in the Middle East region for more than 10 years, primarily delivering ATC ab-initio training and recruitment solutions within the United Arab Emirates.  The organisation has also worked with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, training 60 air traffic control students at its training campuses in New Zealand over the course of two years.

The training will be provided at EAU in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, which means graduates are well prepared to achieve ratings at airports and radar centres around the world.

Emirates Aviation University is part of Emirates Group and Airways is the state-owned air traffic control organisation from New Zealand.

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