A consortium of three aviation companies has launched an aviation training organisation.

Alpha One will offer professional classroom-based training for flight and ground operations staff aimed at scheduled and business aviation operators.

Alpha One CEO Philip Apap Bologna said Malta was selected for a number of reasons, including its high standards in aviation training, English language proficiency, location and its European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) credentials.

The company is already filling places for its aviation foundation courses and for flight dispatch courses scheduled for September with trainee applicants from Europe, the Gulf and Africa.

“Aviation in Malta has developed considerably as an economic sector in the past few years and it is the only country actually seeing an increase in aircraft registration and licensed airline operators. And the forecast is for this trend to continue,” Captain Apap Bologna said.

The three companies ­– Maltese Bizav, Quaero and Swiss Meridien 8 – decided to pool their resources and expertise to tap into this market, which will cover aspects like loading and dispatch, flight plans and crew scheduling.

“The perception is that certification only covers actual flying but the reality is that cabin and flight crew also require annual certification on other skills for their licence to be renewed.

“And with the upcoming safety management systems being implemented by the European Aviation Safety Agency, the requirements are expected to become more onerous.

“Only the airlines that invest in training will be able to meet standards and safety requirements,” he said.

Twenty airlines – 13 of which are African – are blacklisted by the EU because they do not meet regulatory standards and are deemed to have poor maintenance leading to security concerns.

“Malta could be an important hub for airlines which want to get back on track,” Captain Apap Bologna said. Alpha One is targeting around 100 students in its first year.

www.alpha1.aero

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