Emirates Flight Training Academy Partners with Egnatia Aviation

Egnatia Aviation and Emirates Flight Training Academy Join Hands

Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) has announced a strategic partnership with Egnatia Aviation, one of Europe’s premier flight training organizations based in Greece. This collaboration marks an important milestone in EFTA’s international expansion and positions the academy to achieve European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) accreditation by early 2025.

EASA certification is recognised globally in the aviation industry. Failing European-registered aircraft or working for European airlines is mandatory, and it opens doors to outstanding career opportunities worldwide. All ATPL graduates requiring an EASA licence must complete a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (ME/IR) in an Approved Training Organisation within the European Union. Thanks to the partnership, EFTA’s international cadets can undertake the additional 10-hour programme with Egnatia Aviation in Greece.

When they graduate from EFTA, these cadets will receive a GCAA and an EASA licence. Once EFTA approves EASA, the academy will incorporate the agency’s approved curriculum in ground school and flying programmes. EFTA's recent EASA accreditation marks a huge opportunity as it looks to go global and appeal to a wider demographic.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President EFTA, explained the significance of the partnership: “EFTA’s next growth trajectory will have a significant impact as we are set to provide a strong pipeline to an industry strapped for international pilot talent. The partnership with Egnatia Aviation marks a huge milestone in that growth journey. EASA ATO accreditation, our first-class infrastructure and futuristic learning technologies, and being based in Dubai, one of the world’s largest aviation hubs, is the perfect combination for attracting the best talent to the academy.

It’s a significant stepping stone for the academy’s international cadets, who can now obtain the globally recognised EASA licence. We are extremely impressed with Egnatia Aviation’s quality, standards and product. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership that will open new avenues and empower the next generation of pilots.”

George Triantafyllidis, Chief Commercial Officer of Egnatia Aviation, said: “Cadets on the path to becoming EASA certified can look forward to beginning the course in 2025 and be ready to conduct their ME/IR in 2026 at Egnatia Aviation. Once completed, they will graduate with best-in-class knowledge, skills and expertise from a high-quality ATO, in line with EU aviation standards.”

About Emirates Flight Training Academy

Emirates established the Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), located in Dubai South, in 2017. Initially focused on training UAE nationals, the Academy later expanded its programs to include international students aspiring to become pilots. EFTA utilizes advanced learning technologies and boasts a modern fleet of 32 training aircraft to instruct cadets with no prior flying experience.

The fleet consists of:

• 20 Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston aircraft
• 5 Diamond DA42NG multi-engine piston aircraft
• 2 Gamebird GB1 aircraft for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training
• 5 Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jets.

EFTA's facility is the size of 200 football fields and features 36 modern classrooms, six 6-axis full-motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800-meter runway equipped with its own Instrument Landing System.

About Egnatia Aviation

Egnatia Aviation Flight Training Academy, part of Egnatia Aviation Group, is one of the leading Flight Training Organisations in Europe, providing pilots to numerous airlines worldwide. Like EFTA, it has its own General Aviation airport (Lydia) and a fully functional, modern European facility. This, along with the excellent location and weather factor, enables it to deliver consistent training all year round.

In 18 years, Egnatia Aviation has become one of the largest pilot academies in Europe, with cadet contracts and self-sponsored students from all over the world.