AATC

The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has approved a joint venture (JV) between Airbus Services Asia Pacific and Singapore Airlines to provide aircraft pilot training services in the region.

Airbus and Singapore Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2014, to set up the flight training JV.

Named Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC), the JV is 55% owned by Airbus, while Singapore Airlines will own the remaining 45% stake.

Airbus president Fabrice Brégier said: "This state-of-the-art facility will offer full pilot training services to Airbus operators from across the region, and is a major step in the further expansion of our global flight training services."

"The AATC features training systems for Airbus products, including full-flight simulators configured for the A380, A330, A320 and A350 XWB airliners."

According to the CCS, the JV will not lead to significant competition concerns in pilot training services and full flight simulators software, and data packages segment.

The transaction is likely to increase competition for Airbus aircraft pilot training services in the Asia-Pacific region, the agency said.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said: "This facility is not just about pilots’ type rating and recurrent training. It also will be a centre of excellence that will look into research and development of training methods and technologies."

The AATC features training systems for Airbus products, including full-flight simulators configured for the A380, A330, A320 and A350 XWB airliners.

The full-flight simulator simulates a cockpit environment during various phases of flight, including takeoff, airborne and during landing.

AATC complements Airbus’ training centres worldwide in Beijing, Miami and Toulouse.

Image: Airbus and Singapore Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2014 for the JV. Photo: courtesy of A Doumenjou / Airbus SAS.