Qatar Airways: future pilot supply contract to CTC Aviation

Qatar Airways awards future pilot supply contract to CTC Aviation

Hamilton, 24 May 2012 - Qatar Airways, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has selected world-leading airline training organisation, CTC Aviation to supply pilots to support the airline’s rapid expansion plans.

Ian Calvert, CEO of CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Limited, says the contract provides New Zealanders trained at its Hamilton centre with an excellent route into a First Officer position with a leading airline.

“In the first instance, CTC will supply Qatar Airways with cadets from New Zealand and the UK. These will be pilots who have completed their training as part of the CTC Wings programme.

“In addition, CTC will commence Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) training later in the year, which will offer opportunities to both Qatari nationals as well as New Zealand and world-wide applicants. We expect our first MPL course will be populated solely by Qatari nationals. But thereafter, we anticipate many of our CTC cadets who are not already bonded by one of our airline partners to apply to go through the selection process for employment with Qatar Airways,” Mr Calvert explained.

Voted Airline of the Year 2011, Qatar Airways operates one of the world’s youngest and modern fleet to 113 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

Currently operating 108 aircraft, the airline has orders worth over US$50 billion for Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and the A320 family of aircraft. As a result Qatar Airways has significant pilot recruitment campaigns taking place around the world and a supply of graduate pilots from CTC’s world renown “CTC Wings” programme will form a key part of the intake in future years.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “As an airline growing at a tremendous rate and with orders for more than 250 aircraft due for delivery over the next few years, Qatar Airways will require a large number of pilots to join the organisation. CTC is a key partner for Qatar Airways to deliver the pool of professional pilots that we need to meet our operational requirements.”

Lee Woodward, Director of Business Development for CTC Aviation continued “We are delighted to now be able to count Qatar Airways among our list of “CTC Wings” ‘Partner Airlines’. This is a great opportunity for our graduate pilots to forge a strong future career with an airline that maintains high standards of safety and customer service and in a region that is promising some significant growth in the coming years.

“This contract has been tailored to provide a mutually beneficial package for both the airline and the “CTC Wings” pilots. Qatar Airways has demonstrated their willingness to support their future cadet pilot intake and we are very pleased to have been chosen to work alongside another forward thinking airline, committed to investing in their future pilot supply.”

The first 18 CTC pilots selected by the airline will complete their A320 type rating training at CTC’s United Kingdom-based airline training centre during April and May and commence line operations with Qatar operating out of Doha during summer 2012.

Laura Elliott, a CTC Wings graduate pilot who completed her training in New Zealand earlier this year, will now be joining Qatar Airways as a First Officer after her type rating training in May.

“I wanted to train with CTC for an opportunity exactly like this; to join the world's best airline. The prospects within Qatar Airways for career development are second to none. To be given this chance at such an early stage in my career is precisely what I've been working so hard for throughout my training. I am very grateful that CTC have forged this new partnership with Qatar Airways, allowing me and my fellow cadets to further realise our potential,” she said.

As part of CTC’s philosophy to work in partnership with their client airlines, a CTC TRE (Type Rating Examiner) has been working alongside the Qatar Airways team in Doha to ensure that the type rating training for the new intake pilots is accurately tailored to incorporate Qatar Airways’ SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and company culture. “As an airline training provider, we believe this is just one of the factors that set us apart from our competitors,” commented Captain Woodward.

CTC Aviation has training centres in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and trains in the region of 2,000 ab-initio and experienced pilots each year for approximately 50 clients around the world. The company also recently announced a new partnership with Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline.

For more information, visit www.ctcaviation.com.

About CTC Aviation Group

CTC is a global leader in aviation training and management solutions. As an Approved Training Organisation (TRTO and FTO), we train approximately 2,000 aircrew for more than 50 global airlines each year. Our UK and NZ based Crew Training Centres house both Airbus and Boeing simulators, hi-tech Computer Based Training facilities and a fleet of the latest, modern technology training aircraft; all supported by one of the most experienced teams of Training Captains and Instructors worldwide.

Our portfolio spans the full spectrum of airline training and resourcing requirements; pilots and cabin crew; basic licence and ATPL training, type rating training, command and non-technical skills through to TRE Standardisation; ground school, simulator provision and line training; management and consultancy support; start ups, conversions and recurrent.

Airline clients include Air New Zealand, Air Malawi, Air Seychelles, British Airways, Eagle Airways, easyJet, easyJet Suisse, flydubai, Jet2.com, Jetstar Group, Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Pacific, Monarch Airlines, NetJets, Oman Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, spiceJet, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomson Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

“CTC Wings” is a unique, comprehensive programme of developmental training for tomorrow’s airline pilots. The CTC Wings Cadet route takes individuals with no flying experience all the way to the right hand seat of a commercial airliner in approximately two years.

“CTC TAKEOFF” is a comprehensive range of accessible and affordable JAA / EASA modular courses ranging from ME CPL/IR through to MCC and type rating.

“CTC FlexiCrew” is an initiative to provide flexible yet quality resourcing solutions for both the airline industry and qualified pilots, including experienced instructors and examiners.

CTC Aviation Jet Services Limited, the company’s private jet management division offers a personalised service for private jet owners around the world seeking a bespoke and total solution to managing and operating their fleet.

Airline Placement Limited (APL)
The principal activity of APL is that of providing fully trained cadet pilots to the airline industry. APL sponsors cadet pilots throughout their training programme and purchases the required aviation training services from various companies, including CTC Aviation.

CTC holds UK CAA JAA/EASA TRTO and FTO/ATO Approval and is also recognised by various regulators worldwide.

www.ctcaviation.com or www.ctcwings.com

ENDS

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