Sales Successes for Oxford Aviation Academy
Oxford Aviation Academy has achieved considerable success in sale to the Middle East and India. These are two growth regions for aviation, and a sizeable proportion of new aircraft are being delivered there with a consequent high demand for pilot training.
Abu Dhabi-based airline, Etihad, is conducting its first wet A320 type-rating course including an integrated MCC course and Jet Orientation. Etihad is one of the fastest growing Middle Eastern airlines and in addition to its long-haul fleet it expects to take up to 20 additional A320s by 2011. Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways began it first training with in November with 2 crews wet on the A320. Jazeera Airways commenced operations in October 2005 and placed an order for 35 A320’s in 2007. Qatar Airways, already an A320 customer, began their first two wet A330 type-rating courses commencing mid-December. Qatar Airways has a current fleet of 56 aircraft, 28 of which are A330s. The airline will take delivery of a minimum of 1 aircraft each month between now and 2020. Qatar Airways inaugurated their first flight to Stockholm in November, so they are now linked to two OAA locations.
Kingfisher Airlines has also come on board as an OAA customer. Two Kingfisher pilots started training on the A320 from 10 December, and were followed by a further 4our in early January. The airline is owned by United Breweries in India, makers of Kingfisher beer, the second largest brewing group in the world. Kingfisher Airlines is one of the leading start-ups in India and already operates 22 Airbus A320 family aircraft and have 50 more on order. They have also ordered varying numbers of A330s, A340s, A350s and several A380s. They also recently bought 46% of another Indian operator, Air Deccan.