AviationWeek.com
11/13/2007
More than 8,000 commercial pilots will be needed over the next 20 years to satisfy demand from expanding Middle East carriers, says one of the UAE's leading flight schools.
Al Ain-based Horizon International Flight Academy says massive fleet development among the region's commercial carriers, including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, is spurring demand.
"The only thing that can be done to meet the shortfall is to train more people. The pilot profession is appealing more to Emirati youth, including women," says Horizon general manager Mohammed Humaidan Al Zaabi.
"Horizon is at the forefront of meeting this demand by offering internationally recognized flight instruction locally.
"Three out of every five widebody aircraft delivered over the next 10 years will be going to the Middle East and Asia. The career potential for locals is huge." Horizon, which has over 90% UAE national enrolment, is planning a major recruitment drive at the show.
"The Academy is noted for its rapid expansion and we will continue to keep up with the pace," Al Zaabi says. "We offer the opportunity for students wishing to undertake cost- effective pilot training courses that do not want to base themselves in the traditional European and North American training markets.
"With much of the new demand for pilots originating in the Middle East, it makes sense to train them here."
Horizon, in conjunction with UAE national carrier Etihad, has launched an initiative to target UAE nationals aged between 18 and 30 to become first officers with the airline.
"The aim is to have regular intake of Etihad students joining Horizon to develop a cycle to feed the airline. We hope that this will go someway to encouraging the development of UAE national pilots and better meet the market," Al Zaabi says.
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