Yesterday, on September 28th, BAA Training held the opening ceremony of its brand-new pilot training facility in France, located close to Paris-Orly Airport. This expansion project was primarily inspired by collaboration with Transavia France and required a 30 million EUR investment. The training center, offering simulator WET and DRY lease services, is projected to train at least 2000 pilots annually on average.
Marijus Ravoitis, CEO of BAA Training, stated: “Today marks a milestone in the BAA Training journey as we proudly open our new, already fourth simulator training center. Amidst the aviation industry facing the challenges of a pilot shortage, the timing couldn’t be better for us to establish this facility. We remain confident in our commitment to meet and exceed industry needs, shaping the future of aviation.”
Being near Paris-Orly Airport, the second-largest airport serving Paris after Charles de Gaulle Airport, as well as the 11th busiest airport in Europe, will provide BAA Training with networking opportunities with airlines and other aviation-related businesses, leading to potential partnerships and clients. In addition to catering to Transavia’s needs.
Olivier Mazzucchelli, CEO of Transavia France, said by way of compliment: “BAA Training and Transavia France share the same DNA: safety first and efficient operations with a fast-growing, entrepreneurial and agile mindset. BAA Training demonstrated its understanding of our needs from day one to support our growing and challenging training plan on B737NG and from Q3 2023 – on A320neo.”
Currently, the facility accommodates three full-flight simulators (B747-400 and two B737 NGs), and the fourth – A320neo – will be ready for training at the beginning of November. In 2024-2025, two more full-flight simulators will be added. Other equipment to enhance pilot training includes the A320/321 and B737 Door Trainers, A320/321 Cabin Crew Emergency Evacuation Trainer, A320/B737 Slide, Real Fire Fighting Trainer, and B737 FTD. Moreover, A320 FTD Level 1 and B737 NG Level 2 are on their way and will be installed by the end of the year.
BAA Training is open to onboarding more customers to train at BAA Training France, along with offering its partners worldwide a broader range of training locations from now on. Vytautas Ledakas, Managing Director of BAA Training France, offered praise of the cooperation: “I want to thank Transavia France for the trust placed in us as an organization and for recognizing our dedication to excellence in training. This partnership underscores our shared values and commitment to setting new benchmarks. Together, we will continue to innovate, adapt, and lead in this dynamic industry.”
BAA Training also has training facilities in Lithuania, Spain, and Vietnam and is actively expanding with ambitious projects on a global scale. The BAA Training consultancy center in India, New Delhi, is already operational, with a dedicated team in place and operations underway. Additional locations are also being considered for future expansion.
BAA Training is part of the Avia Solutions Group family, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, with a fleet of 192 aircraft. The group also provides a range of aviation services, including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and various associated services. Supported by 11,500 highly skilled aviation professionals, the group operates in 68 countries worldwide.