Dubai: Etihad Airways is looking to secure future pilots numbers by acquiring a pilot training division to establish the Etihad Flight College.
Etihad’s acquisition of Horizon, its second undisclosed sum purchase from Mubadala in as many weeks, will allow the airline to position itself as a preferred employer to pilot graduates.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.
“The establishment of the Etihad Flight College is a natural part of our strategy to produce the best pilots to support our rapidly expanding fleet,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer, in a statement announcing the deal.
Quality pilots are expected to become an increasingly limited commodity in the coming years, led by the rapid fleet growth of Gulf airlines, according to industry experts.
Record fleet orders were posted at last years Dubai Airshow, including Etihad’s order for 199 aircraft, which includes purchasing rights and orders for equity partner Air Serbia.
Horizon has been the selected training provider for Etihad Airways’ cadet pilots for the last seven years, according to Etihad.
Etihad will acquire 13 Cessna 172SP Skyhawk aircraft, three Diamond DA42NG aircraft, two flight training simulators and Horizon’s hangar facilities at Al Ain International Airport. All fixed-wing flight instructors and some support staff currently employed by Horizon will transfer to the Etihad Flight College.
Etihad did not respond to a request for further comment, including the value of the deal or how many Horizon employees will be impacted.
“There are a growing number of airlines... looking to have their own flight school or even enter into third party business. With the growth to come from airlines in the Middle East, there are strong prospects for a training ecosystem,” stated Will Horton, senior analyst at CAPA — Centre for Aviation.
Horizon will hang onto the helicopter rotary wing division as part of the transaction.
The announcement follows the recent acquisition for an undisclosed sum of an aircraft services division from Mubadala-owned Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT).
Both Etihad and Mubadala are owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
