Emirates opens AED500 million pilot training centre in Dubai

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Emirates Crew Training Centre has six cutting-edge simulators

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates has launched a cutting-edge flight crew training centre in Dubai to underpin its rapid expansion and escalating pilot recruitment needs in the Middle East.

The AED 500 million (US$135 million) Emirates Crew Training Centre covering 5,883 square metres, will boost the airline’s annual pilot training capacity by a significant 54%, delivering 130,000 training hours across its growing simulator fleet.

This investment comes amid Emirates’ aggressive plan to onboard more than 1,500 new pilots by 2027, with around 550 hires expected in 2025 alone, reflecting the soaring demand for skilled aviators in the Gulf’s flourishing aviation sector.

The new centre is strategically designed to support pilot training on Emirates’ latest Airbus A350s and the forthcoming Boeing 777X aircraft, crucial for the airline’s fleet modernisation and expansion.

Emirates' new cutting-edge pilot training facility covers 5,883 square metres

Starting with two fully operational A350 flight simulators, the centre will add four more simulators – including those for the Boeing 777X – in the coming years, culminating in a total of 17 simulators available across Emirates’ training network.

Each simulator is capable of delivering 7,500 training hours annually, accommodating up to 1,000 pilots per unit.

A standout feature is the innovative, in-house developed Pilot Support Station (PSS), an industry first that allows pilots to immerse themselves in a virtual cockpit environment before training sessions.

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Here, flight decks can be configured and flight plans built, enhancing training efficiency through immersive preparation. All sessions are recorded for detailed performance review and improved learning outcomes.

The centre also houses advanced 3D printing capabilities, enabling the creation of complex components to sustain training equipment and reduce costs by up to AED1 million yearly.

Emirates' new hub will boost annual pilot training capacity by a significant 54%

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, hailed the new centre as a “gamechanger” for aviation training.

“The centre sets new firsts and serves as best-in-class in aviation training, shaping our programmes and preparation for our future fleet,” he added.

Emirates’ heavy investment in its new pilot training centre highlights its rapid growth and the fierce regional talent race.

The airline aims to expand its fleet from 264 aircraft today to around 350 by 2030, a 32.6% jump, amid strong competition from Etihad, which recently announced plans to add 18 aircraft by the end of 2025, taking its fleet to 88.

This aggressive expansion underscores the surging demand for skilled pilots across the Gulf.

However, industry forecasts reveal a looming pilot shortage worldwide, with consultancy Oliver Wyman predicting a shortfall of 80,000 pilots by 2032, and the Middle East facing the largest gap outside North America, around 18,000 pilots.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com