British training provider CTC Aviation Group announced a $100 million contract from leading European low-cost carrier EasyJet on the eve of the show.
The eight-year contract, said to be the largest ever awarded for commercial airline training, covers Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 conversion training for 240-290 EasyJet pilots a year, plus command-skills training, courses for training captains, and a variety of other services.
As part of the contract, EasyJet has increased to 40 the number of cadet pilots it expects to take on this year through the CTC McAlpine-sponsored cadet scheme.
The company is expanding its facilities to meet increasing demand. It is acquiring two Airbus A320 full-flight simulators to supplement its existing Boeing 737-300 and 737-700 units. Additional Airbus training captains will join the existing team of some 30 instructors this year and a new training centre is due to open in the second quarter.
CTC's airline customers include Singapore Airlines, and Royal Brunei Airlines.
Source: Flight Daily News