CAE acquires Sabena Flight Academy

Montreal: CAE has acquired Sabena Flight Academy for cash consideration in order to expand its ab-initio training capability and CAE Global Academy and to add new type-rating training programs in Europe.
Sabena Flight Academy (SFA) specializes in ab-initio pilot training as well as type-rating training for airlines. It operates an ab-initio flight academy equipped with approximately 40 aircraft in Mesa, Arizona, USA, and a six-simulator training centre in Brussels, Belgium. Sabena Flight Academy is a JAA- and JAR-approved Flight Training Organization with 135 employees and more than 50 years of experience in professional pilot training.
“This strategic bolt-on acquisition is another step towards developing our training network in order to better address the global pilot shortage. It is also in support of our CAE Global Academy as it will bring our capacity to train cadets to more than 1,400 a year globally. The acquisition will also enhance CAE’s ability to deliver type-rating training in Europe as it adds new training programs and an extensive range of new customers to our network,” says Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President, Innovation and Civil Training and Services.
Sabena Flight Academy (SFA) is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected pilot training organizations. After providing Sabena Airlines with world class pilots for more than 60 years SFA has become an independent training centre operating on two continents and training more than 400 cadet pilots per year.
CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1.4 billion, CAE employs more than 6,000 people at more than 75 sites and training locations in 20 countries.
09/06/08 FOXBusiness