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DUBAI- Emirates Airlines (EK) has opened a £100m pilot training centre in Dubai, boosting its annual training capacity by over 50% as the airline prepares for the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft.
The new facility, located near the airline’s existing training centres, adds 45,000 training hours annually, bringing Emirates’ total capacity to 130,000 hours when fully operational.
Photo: EmiratesEmirates New Pilot Training Centre
The centre is equipped with six full-flight simulator bays, including two Airbus A350 simulators already in use. Four additional simulators, covering both the A350 and Boeing 777X models, are scheduled for installation within the next two years.
Once complete, Emirates will operate 17 simulators in total, supporting training for the A380, Boeing 777, A350, and 777X fleets.
Each simulator is capable of delivering up to 7,500 training hours per year, supporting approximately 1,000 pilots annually. This expansion ensures Emirates maintains a steady pipeline of qualified flight crew as the airline integrates new aircraft into its fleet.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates, described the project as a strategic investment, calling it a benchmark for aviation training and a milestone for the wider industry.
Photo: EmiratesTechnology and Training Innovation
The facility incorporates an in-house designed Pilot Support Station. This system allows pilots to configure flight decks, prepare flight plans, and review training sessions with full recordings for detailed performance analysis. The innovation enhances learning outcomes and makes training preparation more efficient.
A 3D printing unit is also part of the centre, enabling Emirates to manufacture complex components for training equipment.
The airline estimates this capability generates annual savings of up to AED 1 million (£200,000), improving both cost efficiency and operational flexibility.
Certification and Global Recognition
Emirates’ first A350 simulator recently received Level D certification—the highest standard—from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
It is the first simulator worldwide at Airbus A350 Standard 1.3 to achieve this qualification with zero findings. This recognition further positions Emirates as a leader in aviation training quality.
Alongside simulators, the training centre includes four classrooms designed to support recurrent training, conversion courses, and command upgrade programmes.
The facility complements Emirates’ wider aviation education ecosystem, which includes the Flight Training Academy, Aviation University, Cabin Crew Training Centre, and Aviation College in Dubai.
Emirates Airbus A350 | Photo: Clément AlloingSupporting Fleet Expansion
The opening of this centre comes as Emirates ramps up pilot recruitment. The airline is actively hiring through its Direct Entry Captain, Accelerated Command, and First Officer programmes to prepare for the arrival of new-generation aircraft.
With this investment, Emirates strengthens its position as one of the few airlines with a fully integrated training infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness and maintaining its standards as it continues to expand globally.
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