Air Malta Just Lowkey Launched A Global Pilot Training Academy And It Has Already Begun
Air Malta announced the launch of a new pilot training academy centred in Malta, with the first batch of pilots, 20 Qatar Airways cadet pilots, already on the island and racking up their hours.
The announcement comes following a meeting between Air Malta and Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways announced a new era of collaboration with Malta by announcing the launch of direct flights between Malta and Qatar to begin in 2019, as well as signing an agreement to send 20 cadets to be trained in Malta.
“I am delighted to have met with Minister for Tourism Mr. Konrad Mizzi during his visit to the State of Qatar. The new direct route between Malta and Qatar, which will commence in 2019, will provide a number of close mutual ties such as this training programme, as well as serving the people of Malta with access to more than 150 global destinations, with one seamless transfer in the Middle East,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker.
The new pilot academy is a new, and welcome, revenue stream for Air Malta
The cadet pilots will be trained by Air Malta pilots, racking up their hours in with experienced Maltese pilots. After the training period ends, the cadets will be given the opportunity to become first officers with Qatar Airways.
Though no further airlines have been confirmed yet, Air Malta has hopes for the new academy to continue growing and begin attracting further serious investment from large airlines like Qatar’s. The training will be held on Airbus A320s, one of the most popular and in-demand airlines globally, which will give budding pilots a great foothold in the airline industry.
“We are expanding the business unit of Air Malta to attract cadets who want to gain their pilot license, train to fly, and do their hours on the Airbus A320. The first group of cadets have already arrived in Malta, and we look forward to having a positive and long term relationship with Qatar Airways,” said Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi.
National Airline flourishing: @AirMalta to develop a pilot training academy on Airbus A320 aircraft being an approved training operator. 20 cadet pilots from @qatarairways to commence training this week. @KonradMizzi
— Alex Cutajar (@cutajaralex) July 4, 2018
The new direct flights between Malta and Qatar will also be hopefully welcomed by some Maltese in the current atmosphere, what with the next World Cup set to be held in Qatar in 2022.
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