AEGEAN Invests €30m in Aviation Training Center

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.

With 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," commented AEGEAN chairman Eftichios Vassilakis, 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.

In addition, the Greek carrier will launch a scholarship program for young pilots, which will run through to 2019. 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.

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.