Colombia: Avianca and Canadian Aviation Electronics launch JV for pilot training

Avianca Holdings, owner of airline Avianca, announced on Thursday it had struck an agreement with Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE), through which the companies will operate a venture dedicated to training commercial pilots using in-flight simulators.

“Avianca Holdings and CAE’s training center will have seven high-tech simulators, well above the region’s average,” the Colombian company said. The project will involve a joint investment of US$70 million and is expected to begin operations in the last quarter of this year.

Avianca Holdings reported that the operation has already received approval from the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) to create the largest training center of its kind in the country.

Marc Parent, president and CEO of CAE, said he was honored “to join forces with Avianca and be chosen as partners to offer the best training service to pilots in Colombia and the entire region.”